Radiation image capturing system

ABSTRACT

A radiation image capturing system includes a capturing room and a console. The capturing room includes a bucky apparatus, a radiation irradiating apparatus and a detecting unit. A plurality of portable radiation image capturing apparatuses can be loaded on the bucky apparatus. The radiation irradiating apparatus is able to simultaneously irradiate radiation to the plurality of portable radiation image capturing apparatuses. The console is associated with the capturing room and obtains capturing order information. The console allows the portable radiation image capturing apparatuses to advance to a capturing possible state when the console judges that capturing in the capturing order information is long length capturing. The console allows only one of the portable radiation image capturing apparatuses to advance to the capturing possible state when the console judges that the capturing is not the long length capturing.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present invention claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to JapaneseApplication No. 2014-188391 filed Sep. 17, 2014, the entire content ofwhich is incorporated herein by reference

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a radiation image capturing system.Specifically, the present invention relates to a radiation imagecapturing system which can perform long length capturing.

2. Description of Related Art

As a method of capturing a relatively large range such as the upper halfor the lower half of the patient, there is known long length capturingin which a radiation image capturing apparatus (Flat Panel Detector) isirradiated with radiation from a radiation irradiating apparatus whilechanging the position along a body axis of the captured subject and aplurality of radiation images are captured. Usually, the pluralradiation images obtained by the long length capturing are connected byimage processing to create one radiation image. Various configurationsare known as a configuration of a radiation image capturing system toperform such long length capturing. As one example, the radiation imagecapturing system as described in FIG. 22 is known.

In other words, the radiation image capturing system positions acollimator 102 including an opening (not shown) between a radiationirradiating apparatus 100 and a radiation image capturing apparatus 101.The position of the opening of the collimator 102 is changed by movingthe collimator 102 in the body axis direction of a subject H accordingto the position of the radiation image capturing apparatus 101 beingmoved along the body axis A of the subject H without changing theirradiating direction and the irradiating region of the radiation fromthe radiation irradiating apparatus S. An irradiating field of theradiation irradiated from the radiation irradiating apparatus S islimited by the opening of the collimator 102 to only the necessary rangeincluding the radiation image capturing apparatus 101. In this state,the radiation is irradiated from the radiation irradiating apparatus Seach time the radiation image capturing apparatus 101 changes theposition, in other words, radiation is irradiated a plurality of timesto capture a plurality of radiation images. A console (not shown)connects the plurality of radiation images to generate one radiationimage of long length capturing (for example, see Japanese PatentApplication Laid-Open Publication No. 2013-226243).

According to FIG. 22, the radiation image capturing apparatus 101 ismoved to two positions vertically to perform capturing. The number ofpositions the radiation image capturing apparatus 101 is moved to issuitably determined according to the size of the radiation imagecapturing apparatus 101 used, the capturing site, or the like. Althoughnot shown, the capturing is not limited to a state in which the subjectH is standing, in other words a standing position as shown in FIG. 22.For example, similar long length capturing can be performed whencapturing is performed in a state in which the subject H is lying down,in other words a lying position.

However, although not limited to the radiation image capturing systemusing the collimator 102 as shown in FIG. 22, at least in theconventional radiation image capturing system which performs long lengthcapturing by capturing a plurality of radiation images while moving theradiation image capturing apparatus 101 in the body axis A direction ofthe subject H, the problem of the subject H moving while the radiationimage capturing apparatus 101 moves occurs to some extent (in otherwords, the problem of body movement). When body movement occurs in evenone of the plurality of radiation images, even if the one radiationimage is captured again and the image combining processing is performed,it is difficult to obtain a suitable long length image. Therefore, allof the plurality of radiation images need to be captured again and theradiation amount on the patient increases.

In order to solve such problem, it is effective to configure the laterdescribed radiation image capturing system of the present invention (seelater described FIG. 1), in which a plurality of radiation imagecapturing apparatuses are positioned aligned in the body axis direction(see A in FIG. 1) of the subject and irradiation is irradiated only once(in other words, one shot) from the radiation irradiating apparatus tothe radiation image capturing apparatus to capture a plurality ofradiation images.

However, from the point of cost effectiveness, it is not easy to newlyintroduce in facilities such as a hospital a capturing stage to bededicated to long length capturing provided with a plurality ofradiation image capturing apparatuses in the body axis direction of thesubject in advance. That is, such capturing stage is costly and thefrequency of capturing long length capturing is not high compared tofrequency of normal capturing (hereinafter, simple capturing) in whichradiation is irradiated once from the radiation irradiating apparatus toone radiation image capturing apparatus.

Therefore, it is preferable to configure a radiation image capturingsystem in which long length capturing can be performed by using a buckyapparatus for long length capturing already provided in the facilitiesin which a plurality of CR (Computer Radiography) cassettes are loaded,or cheaply manufacturing a bucky apparatus for long length capturing andloading the necessary number in a portable (also called a cassette type)radiation image capturing apparatus. According to such configuration,the portable radiation image capturing apparatus which can be used insimple capturing which is the main operation in the radiology departmentcan also be used for long length capturing. Therefore, it is possible toenhance cost effectiveness and capturing effectiveness of the entireradiation image capturing system of the radiology department.

However, according to such configuration, various defects may occur inthe radiation image capturing system since both simple capturing andlong length capturing can be performed using the same portable radiationimage capturing apparatus.

SUMMARY

The present invention has been made in consideration of the aboveproblems, and one of the main objects is to provide a radiation imagecapturing system in which both simple capturing and long lengthcapturing can be accurately performed using a portable radiation imagecapturing apparatus.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided aradiation image capturing system including:

-   -   a capturing room including:    -   a bucky apparatus on which a plurality of portable radiation        image capturing apparatuses can be loaded;    -   a radiation irradiating apparatus which is able to        simultaneously irradiate radiation to the plurality of portable        radiation image capturing apparatuses loaded on the bucky        apparatus; and    -   a detecting unit which detects entry of the portable radiation        image capturing apparatus; and    -   a console which is associated with the capturing room, which is        able to control the portable radiation image capturing apparatus        detected by the detecting unit, and which obtains capturing        order information and generates a radiation image based on image        data transferred from the portable radiation image capturing        apparatus to be associated with the capturing order information;    -   wherein,    -   the console allows the plurality of portable radiation image        capturing apparatuses in the associated capturing room to        advance to a capturing possible state when the console judges        based on the capturing order information that capturing in the        capturing order information is long length capturing which is        performed with the plurality of portable radiation image        capturing apparatuses loaded on the bucky apparatus; and    -   the console allows only one of the portable radiation image        capturing apparatuses in the associated capturing room to        advance to the capturing possible state when the console judges        based on the capturing order information that the capturing in        the capturing order information is not the long length        capturing.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provideda radiation image capturing system including:

-   -   a capturing room including:    -   a bucky apparatus on which a plurality of portable radiation        image capturing apparatuses can be loaded;    -   a radiation irradiating apparatus which is able to        simultaneously irradiate radiation to the plurality of portable        radiation image capturing apparatuses loaded on the bucky        apparatus; and    -   a detecting unit which detects entry of the portable radiation        image capturing apparatus; and    -   a console which is associated with the capturing room, which is        able to control the portable radiation image capturing apparatus        detected by the detecting unit, and which obtains capturing        order information and generates a radiation image based on image        data transferred from the portable radiation image capturing        apparatus to be associated with the capturing order information;    -   wherein,    -   the bucky apparatus includes a reading unit which reads        identification information of the portable radiation image        capturing apparatus loaded in a loading position in which the        portable radiation image capturing apparatus is loaded, and the        bucky apparatus notifies the identification information to the        console when the reading unit reads the identification        information of the portable radiation image capturing apparatus        loaded in the loading position;    -   the console judges whether long length capturing which is        performed with the plurality of portable radiation image        capturing apparatuses loaded on the bucky apparatus can be        performed based on the identification information of the        portable radiation image capturing apparatus loaded in the        loading position, the identification information notified from        the bucky apparatus;    -   the console allows the plurality of portable radiation image        capturing apparatuses loaded on the bucky apparatus to advance        to a capturing possible state when the console judges that the        long length capturing can be performed; and    -   the console notifies that the long length capturing cannot be        performed when the console judges that the long length capturing        cannot be performed.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provideda radiation image capturing system including:

-   -   a plurality of capturing rooms including:    -   a radiation irradiating apparatus which is able to irradiate        radiation to a portable radiation image capturing apparatus; and    -   a detecting unit which detects entry of the portable radiation        image capturing apparatus;    -   a console which is associated with the capturing room, which is        able to control the portable radiation image capturing apparatus        detected by the detecting unit, and which obtains capturing        order information and generates a radiation image based on image        data transferred from the portable radiation image capturing        apparatus to be associated with the capturing order information;        and    -   a management apparatus which manages the portable radiation        image capturing apparatus in the capturing room based on        information of the portable radiation image capturing apparatus        detected by the detecting unit provided in each capturing room,    -   wherein,    -   any or all of the capturing rooms are provided with a bucky        apparatus in which the plurality of portable radiation image        capturing apparatuses can be loaded;    -   the management apparatus judges in which capturing room the long        length capturing can be performed based on information of the        portable radiation image capturing apparatus and the bucky        apparatus in the capturing room and notifies to the console the        capturing room which can perform long length capturing in reply        to a request from the console which judges based on the        capturing order information that the capturing of the capturing        order information is the long length capturing which is        performed with the plurality of portable radiation image        capturing apparatuses loaded on the bucky apparatus; and    -   the console notifies the information of the capturing room        notified from the management apparatus.

According to the radiation image capturing system of the presentinvention, it is possible to accurately perform both simple capturingand long length capturing using the portable radiation image capturingapparatus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become more fully understood from thedetailed description given hereinbelow and the appended drawings, andthus are not intended to define the limits of the present invention, andwherein;

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a radiation imagecapturing system according to the present embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration of theradiation image capturing system in which a plurality of capturing roomsare associated with one or a plurality of consoles;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the radiationimage capturing apparatus is inserted in a cradle and connectors areconnected to each other;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration in which a tagreader is provided as a detecting unit;

FIG. 5A is a diagram showing an emitting switch of a radiationgenerating apparatus;

FIG. 5B is a diagram showing a button of the emitting switch of theradiation generating apparatus half pushed;

FIG. 5C is a diagram showing a button of the emitting switch of theradiation generating apparatus fully pushed;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an outer appearance of a portableradiation image capturing apparatus;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an equivalent circuit of a portableradiation image capturing apparatus;

FIG. 8 is a timing chart describing timing of applying on voltage toeach scanning line when capturing is performed in a linking method;

FIG. 9 is a timing chart describing timing of applying on voltage toeach scanning line in a non-linking method in which start of irradiationof radiation is detected based on leak data;

FIG. 10 is a timing chart showing the processing sequence shown in FIG.8 is repeated and readout processing of offset data is performed;

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of capturing order information;

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a selection screen whichdisplays capturing order information;

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen which displays eachicon corresponding to each piece of capturing order information;

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a selection screen displayingan icon corresponding to the radiation image capturing apparatus in acapturing room;

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of display of an iconcorresponding to a bucky apparatus in which the radiation imagecapturing apparatus is loaded displayed on the selection screen shown inFIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of display when the iconcorresponding to the radiation image capturing apparatus is selected onthe selection screen shown in FIG. 14;

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a preview image and a radiation image aredisplayed on an icon displayed with focus on the screen shown in FIG.13;

FIG. 18A is a diagram describing true image data calculated for eachradiation image capturing apparatus in long length capturing;

FIG. 18B is a diagram describing combining true image data calculatedfor each radiation image capturing apparatus in long length capturing togenerate long length image data;

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a state in which a connector of the buckyapparatus is connected to the connector of the radiation image capturingapparatus;

FIG. 20A is a diagram showing a state in which 3 radiation imagecapturing apparatuses are loaded on the bucky apparatus for long lengthcapturing;

FIG. 20B is a diagram showing a state in which the radiation imagecapturing apparatus is not loaded on a center loading position of thebucky apparatus for long length capturing;

FIG. 21A is a diagram describing a state in which the 3 radiation imagecapturing apparatuses are loaded on the bucky apparatus for long lengthcapturing in a center aligned position and an irradiating field in thisstate;

FIG. 21B is a diagram describing a state in which the 3 radiation imagecapturing apparatuses are loaded on the bucky apparatus for long lengthcapturing in a right aligned position and an irradiating field in thisstate; and

FIG. 22 is a diagram describing a conventional configuration of theradiation image capturing system which performs long length capturing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

An embodiment of a radiation image capturing system of the presentinvention is described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is adiagram showing a configuration of the radiation image capturing systemof the present embodiment.

According to the description below, the basic configuration of theradiation image capturing system 50 of the present embodiment includes acapturing room Ra associated with a console C one to one as shown inFIG. 1. The description can be applied to the configuration including aplurality of capturing rooms Ra (Ra1 to Ra3) associated with one or aplurality of consoles C (C1, C2) through a network N, etc. as shown inFIG. 2.

FIG. 1 describes only a bucky apparatus 51A for long length capturingbeing provided in the capturing room Ra. Alternatively, a buckyapparatus 51B for standing position capturing used in simple capturingand a bucky apparatus 51C (see FIG. 2) for lying position capturing (seeFIG. 2) can be provided in the capturing room Ra. In other words, whenthe capturing room Ra is one room, a bucky apparatus 51A for long lengthcapturing is to be provided in the capturing room Ra, and other modalityprovided in the capturing room Ra can be suitably determined. When thereare a plurality of capturing rooms Ra as shown in FIG. 2, the buckyapparatus 51A for long length capturing is to be provided in at leastany one of the capturing rooms Ra. The other modality provided in theabove capturing room Ra and other capturing rooms Ra is suitablydetermined. The bucky apparatus 51A for long length capturing can beprovided in all capturing rooms Ra.

As described above, the bucky apparatus 51A for long length capturingcan be a bucky apparatus for one long length shot in which a pluralityof CR cassettes or film cassettes can be loaded or a bucky apparatusincluding a conducting or communicating function. The method of use isdescribed in detail below. FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 describe providing a buckyapparatus 51A for long length capturing in a standing position in thecapturing room Ra as the bucky apparatus 51A for long length capturing.Although illustration is omitted, the bucky apparatus for long lengthcapturing in a lying position can be provided in the capturing room Ra.The present invention can be applied when the radiation image capturingsystem 50 is provided with only the bucky apparatus for long lengthcapturing in a lying position as the bucky apparatus 51A for long lengthcapturing.

[Basic Configuration of Radiation Image Capturing System]

As shown in FIG. 1, according to the present embodiment, the buckyapparatus 51A in which a plurality of radiation image capturingapparatuses 1 can be loaded to perform long length capturing is providedin the capturing room Ra (when a plurality of capturing rooms Ra areprovided, at least one capturing room Ra). The plurality of radiationimage capturing apparatuses 1 can be loaded in the cassette holder 51 aof the bucky apparatus 51A for long length capturing so as to be alignedin a body axis A direction of a subject H.

FIG. 1 shows 3 radiation image capturing apparatuses 1 loaded on thecassette holder 51 a of the bucky apparatus 51A for long lengthcapturing. However, the number of radiation image capturing apparatuses1 loaded on the bucky apparatus 51A for long length capturing is notlimited to 3. The configuration of the bucky apparatus 51A for longlength capturing and the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 isdescribed later.

A radiation irradiating apparatus 52 is provided in the capturing roomRa. As shown in FIG. 1, the radiation irradiating apparatus 52 used inlong length capturing is a wide angle irradiating type which cansimultaneously irradiate radiation on the plurality of radiation imagecapturing apparatuses 1 loaded on the bucky apparatus 52A through thesubject H (in other words, with one irradiation of radiation (oneshot)). The radiation irradiating apparatus 52 for long length capturingcan also be used as the radiation irradiating apparatus 52 for standingposition capturing or lying position capturing when performing simplecapturing. In this case, when simple capturing is performed, theirradiating field of radiation irradiated from the radiation irradiatingapparatus 52 for long length capturing can be limited with thecollimator and the radiation can be irradiated.

A repeater 54 is provided in the capturing room Ra to relaycommunication between the apparatuses inside and outside the capturingroom Ra. According to the present embodiment, an access point 53 isprovided in the repeater 54 so that image data D, signals, etc., can betransmitted and received by the radiation image capturing apparatus 1wirelessly. The repeater 54 is connected to a radiation irradiatingapparatus 55 and console C. A transducer (not shown) which converts thesignal transmitted from the radiation image capturing apparatus 1,console C, etc. to the radiation irradiating apparatus 52 for LAN (LocalArea Network) communication to a signal for the radiation irradiatingapparatus 52 and vice versa is included in the repeater 54.

According to the present embodiment, a cradle 55 is connected to therepeater 54. As shown in FIG. 3, when the radiation image capturingapparatus 1 brought into the capturing room Ra is inserted in the cradle55 and a later described connector 27 (see later described FIG. 6) ofthe radiation image capturing apparatus 1 and a connector 55 a of thecradle 55 are connected, a cassette ID, etc. which is identificationinformation of the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 is notified tothe repeater 54. When the cassette ID of the radiation image capturingapparatus 1 is transmitted from the cradle 55, the repeater 54 notifiesthe cassette ID to the console C or a later described managementapparatus S (see FIG. 2).

The cradle 55 is originally used for storing and charging the radiationimage capturing apparatus 1, and according to the present embodiment,the cradle 55 can include a function for charging. Moreover, an SSID ofthe access point 53 provided in the capturing room R can be notifiedfrom the cradle 55, the console C, etc. to the radiation image capturingapparatus 1 when the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 is insertedin the cradle 55. FIG. 3 shows the cradle 55 provided with 2 insertingopenings to insert the radiation image capturing apparatus 1. However,the inserting opening provided can be 1 or can be 3 or more. The cradle55 can be provided in either the capturing room Ra or a front room Rb.When the cradle 55 is provided in the capturing room Ra, the cradle 55is provided in a position where the radiation irradiated from theradiation irradiating apparatus 52 does not reach the cradle 55, forexample, a corner of the capturing room Ra.

Instead of using the cradle 55 of the present embodiment as thedetecting unit which detects entrance of the radiation image capturingapparatus 1 in the capturing room Ra or the front room Rb, as shown inFIG. 4, for example, a tag reader 60 can be provided near the door ofthe front room Rb and the capturing room Ra.

In this case, a tag (not shown) such as an RFID tag (Radio FrequencyIdentification) is included in the radiation image capturing apparatus 1in advance, and specific information such as the cassette ID of theradiation image capturing apparatus 1 is stored in the tag. When theradiation image capturing apparatus 1 passes near the tag reader 60 andis brought in to or out of the front room Rb and the capturing room Ra,the tag reader 60 can read the information such as the cassette ID fromthe tag of the radiation image capturing apparatus 1, and notify thecassette ID to the console C or the management apparatus S (see FIG. 2)through the repeater 54.

As shown in FIG. 1, an operation table 57 of the radiation irradiatingapparatus is provided in the front room (operation room) Rb and anemitting switch 56 is provided on the operation table 57 to be operatedby the user such as the radiology technician, etc. to instruct start ofirradiation of radiation to the radiation irradiating apparatus 52. Tubecurrent, irradiating time, etc. for the radiation irradiating apparatus52 can be set on the operation table 57. According to the presentembodiment, the setting of the tube current, etc. can also be performedon the console C.

As shown in FIG. 5A, a button 56 a is provided in the emitting switch56, when the user such as the radiology technician, etc. performs afirst operation (half push) on the button 56 a of the emitting switch 56as shown in FIG. 5B, the radiation irradiating apparatus 52 starts. Asshown in FIG. 5C, when the user performs the second operation on thebutton 56 a of the emitting switch 56 (full push), the radiationirradiating apparatus 52 irradiates radiation. The irradiation ofradiation from the radiation irradiating apparatus 52 is describedlater.

[Portable Radiation Image Capturing Apparatus]

Here, before describing the console C, the portable radiation imagecapturing apparatus 1 used in the radiation image capturing system isdescribed. Below, the portable radiation image capturing apparatus issimply referred to as the radiation image capturing apparatus. FIG. 6 isa perspective view showing the outer appearance of the radiation imagecapturing apparatus.

According to the present embodiment, the radiation image capturingapparatus 1 includes a case 2 with a later described radiation detectingelement 7, etc. stored inside, and a power source switch 25, a switchingswitch 26, the above-described connector 27, and an indicator 28 areprovided on one side of the case 2. Although illustration is omitted,according to the present embodiment, an antenna 29 (see later describedFIG. 7) for wireless communication with external devices or systems isprovided on the side opposite of the case 2. The radiation imagecapturing apparatus 1 uses the antenna 29 when communicating wirelesslywith external devices or systems. When wired communication is performedwith external devices or systems, a cable (not shown) is connected tothe connector 27 for communication.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an equivalent circuit of the radiationimage capturing apparatus. As shown in FIG. 7, a plurality of radiationdetecting elements 7 are arrayed two-dimensionally (matrix shape) on asensor substrate (not shown) in the radiation image capturing apparatus1. Each radiation detecting element 7 generates charge according to theamount of irradiated radiation. A bias line 9 is connected to eachradiation detecting element 7, and the bias line 9 is connected to aconnecting line 10. The connecting line 10 is connected to a bias supply14, and a reverse bias voltage can be applied to each radiationdetecting element 7 from the bias supply 14 through the bias line 9,etc.

A thin film transistor (TFT) 8 is connected to each radiation detectingelement 7 as a switch element, and the TFT 8 is connected to the signalline 6. In a scanning driving unit 15, on voltage and off voltagesupplied from a power source circuit 15 a through a line 15 c areswitched at a gate driver 15 b and are applied to each line L1 to Lx ofthe scanning line 5. Each TFT 8 is turned on when an on voltage isapplied through the scanning line 5, and the charge accumulated in theradiation detecting element 7 is released in the signal line 6. Each TFT8 is turned off when an off voltage is applied through the scanning line5, and the conduction between the radiation detecting element 7 and thesignal line 6 is cut so that the charge generated in the radiationdetecting element 7 is accumulated in the radiation detecting element 7.

A plurality of readout circuits 17 are provided in a readout IC 16, anda signal line 6 is connected to each readout circuit 17. In processingof generating the image data D, when charge is released from theradiation detecting element 7, the charge flows into the readout circuit17 through the signal line 6 and a voltage value according to the amountof charge flown in is output from an amplifying circuit 18. Thecorrelated double sampling circuit 19 (described as “CDS” in FIG. 7)reads out the voltage value output from the amplifying circuit 18 as theimage data D with an analog value and outputs the image data D to thedownstream side. The output image data D is sequentially transmitted toan A/D convertor 20 through an analog multiplexer 21. The image data Dis sequentially converted to a digital value in the A/D converter 20.The image data D is output to the storage unit 23 and sequentiallystored.

The control unit 22 includes a computer in which a CPU (CentralProcessing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random AccessMemory), an input/output interface, etc. (all not shown) are connectedby a bus, a FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or the like. Adedicated control circuit can also be configured. A storage unit 23including a SRAM (Static RAM) and a SDRAM (Synchronous DRAM), etc. isconnected to the control unit 22. A communication unit 30 whichcommunicates by a wired or wireless format with external devices orsystems through the antenna 29 or the connector 27 is connected to thecontrol unit 22. A battery 24, etc. which supplies power necessary foreach functional unit such as the scanning driving unit 15, the readoutcircuit 17, the storage unit 23, the bias supply 14, etc. is connectedto the control unit 22.

The radiation image capturing apparatus 1 according to the presentembodiment can be used for capturing loaded on a bucky apparatus 51.Although illustration is omitted, the radiation image capturingapparatus 1 can also be used for capturing independently without loadingon the bucky apparatus 51. For example, the radiation image capturingapparatus 1 can be placed against the body of the patient who is thesubject or inserted between the patient and the bed.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is assumedthat the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 is used for capturingloaded on the bucky apparatus 51, in which CR cassettes are loaded,already provided in the facility. Therefore, the radiation imagecapturing apparatus 1 is formed in a size conforming to the CR cassettewhich is a JIS standard size for a conventional screen/film cassette(JIS Z 4905, corresponding to international standard IEC 60406).However, the present invention can also be applied when the radiationimage capturing apparatus 1 is not formed in this size.

[Power Consumption Mode of Radiation Image Capturing Apparatus]

As described later, according to the present embodiment, the controlunit 22 switches power consumption modes of the radiation imagecapturing apparatus 1 between at least a capturing possible mode (alsocalled a wake up mode) in which power is provided to each functionalunit including the scanning driving unit 15 and the readout circuit 17and capturing is possible or a power save mode (also called a sleepmode) in which power consumption is smaller than the capturing possiblemode and capturing cannot be performed.

According to the present embodiment, the radiation image capturingapparatus 1 automatically switches the power consumption mode from thecapturing possible mode to the power save mode when, for example, thenext capturing is not performed even if a predetermined amount of timepasses after capturing ends. Moreover, the radiation image capturingapparatus 1 switches the power consumption mode between the capturingpossible mode and the power save mode when a later described switchingsignal is transmitted from the console C or the user such as theradiology technician, etc. operates the switching switch 26 (see FIG.6).

[Processing Performed in Radiation Image Capturing Apparatus]

Next, processing performed in the radiation image capturing apparatus 1in capturing (simple capturing and long length capturing) is described.Here, processing performed in the radiation image capturing apparatus 1is different depending on whether capturing is performed while linkingthe radiation image capturing apparatus 1 and the radiation irradiatingapparatus 52 by transmitting and receiving signals (the capturing methodreferred to as linking method) or capturing is performed withouttransmitting and receiving signals between the radiation image capturingapparatus 1 and the radiation irradiating apparatus 52 (the capturingmethod referred to as non-linking method). Each method is describedbriefly.

[Processing in Linking Method]

In a linking method, for example, as shown in the left side portion ofFIG. 8, the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 performs resetprocessing of each radiation detecting element 7, in which on voltage issequentially applied to each line L1 to Lx of the scanning line 5 fromthe gate driver 15 b (see FIG. 7), each TFT 8 is sequentially turned on,and the charge remaining in each radiation detecting element 7 isremoved.

As described above, the emitting switch 56 (see FIG. 1) is operated bythe user such as the radiology technician, etc., and when the secondoperation, in other words, full push is performed on the emitting switch56, the irradiating start signal is transmitted from the radiationirradiating apparatus 52 to the radiation image capturing apparatus 1.When the irradiating start signal is received, as shown in FIG. 8, theradiation image capturing apparatus 1 ends the reset processing when theon voltage is applied to the last line Lx of the scanning line 5 and thereset processing of each radiation detecting element 7 is performed.

Then, the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 applies off voltage toeach line L1 to Lx of the scanning line 5 from the gate driver 15 b toturn off each TFT 8, and advances to the charge accumulating state inwhich the charge generated in each radiation detecting element 7 by theirradiation of radiation is accumulated in each radiation detectingelement 7. At the same time, an interlock release signal is transmittedto the radiation irradiating apparatus 52. The radiation irradiatingapparatus 52 irradiates radiation when the interlock release signal isreceived. The diagonal line portion shown in FIG. 8 represents the termthat the radiation is irradiated from the radiation irradiatingapparatus 52.

When a predetermined charging time τ passes after advancing to thecharge accumulating state, as shown in the right side portion of FIG. 8,the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 sequentially applies onvoltage to each line L1 to Lx of the scanning line 5 from the gatedriver 15 b and the image data D is read out from each radiationdetecting element 7 to perform processing of generating the image dataD.

[Processing in Non-Linking Method]

On the other hand, in the non-linking method, as described above, thesignal is not transmitted and received between the radiation imagecapturing apparatus 1 and the radiation irradiating apparatus 52.Therefore, the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 itself needs todetect that the radiation is irradiated from the radiation irradiatingapparatus 52. As a method for the radiation image capturing apparatus 1to detect irradiation of radiation, for example, methods as described inthe following documents such as Japanese Patent Application Laid-OpenPublication No. 2009-219538, WO 2011/135917, WO 2011/152093 can beemployed. See above documents for details.

Described below is processing performed in the radiation image capturingapparatus 1 in the non-linking method. According to WO 2011/135917, theradiation image capturing apparatus 1 detects the start of irradiationof radiation based on the leak data dleak and the value calculated fromthe leak data dleak. The off voltage is applied to each line L1 to Lx ofthe scanning line 5 from the gate driver 15 b, and the charge whichleaks from each radiation detecting element 7 through each TFT 8 in theoff state to the signal line 6 is read out with the readout circuit 17.The read out data is the leak data dleak. When the radiation isirradiated on the radiation image capturing apparatus 1, the increase ofthe value of the readout leak data dleak can be used to detect the startof irradiation of radiation.

As described above, the leak data dleak is data read out when each TFT 8is in an off state. Dark charge (also called dark current) continues toaccumulate in the radiation detecting element 7 when each TFT 8 remainsin the off state. Therefore, as shown in the left side portion of FIG.9, when the readout processing (see L in FIG. 9) of the leak data dleakis performed, on voltage is sequentially applied on each line L1 to Lxof the scanning line 5 from the gate driver 15 b to perform resetprocessing (see R in FIG. 9) of each radiation detecting element 7alternately with the readout processing.

When the user such as the radiology technician, etc. operates theemitting switch 56 and radiation is irradiated from the radiationirradiating apparatus 52, the radiation image capturing apparatus 1detects start of irradiation of radiation based on the leak data dleak,etc. read out by readout processing of leak data dleak of a certain turn(see “detect” in FIG. 9).

Then, when the start of irradiation of radiation is detected, theradiation image capturing apparatus 1 applies off voltage to each lineL1 to Lx of the scanning line 5 from the gate driver 15 b and advancesto the charge accumulating state. After advancing to the chargeaccumulating state, when the predetermined accumulating time τ passes,as shown in the right side portion of FIG. 9, on voltage is sequentiallyapplied to each line L1 to Lx of the scanning line 5 from the gatedriver 15 b and the image data D is read out from each radiationdetecting element 7 as described above. With this, the generatingprocessing of the image data D is performed.

FIG. 9 shows generating processing of image data D in which, applying onvoltage starts from the scanning line 5 (line L5 of scanning line 5 inFIG. 9) on which on voltage is applied next after the scanning line 5(line L4 of scanning line 5 in FIG. 9) on which on voltage is appliedfor reset processing (R) directly before the read out processing (L) ofleak data dleak detecting the start of irradiation of radiation.Alternatively, similar to the linking method (see FIG. 8), for example,on voltage can be sequentially applied from the first line L1 of thescanning line 5 to perform generating processing of the image data D.

[Processing after Generating Processing of Image Data]

According to the present embodiment, in both the linking method and thenon-linking method, when the generating processing of the image data Dis performed as described above, the radiation image capturing apparatus1 extracts the preview image data Dp at a predetermined percentage fromthe readout image data D, and transfers the extracted preview image dataDp to the console C. As described later, according to the console C, thepreview image is generated based on the preview image data Dptransferred from the radiation image capturing apparatus 1, and thepreview image is displayed on the display unit Ca.

When the preview image data Dp is extracted and transferred to theconsole C, at the same time, the radiation image capturing apparatus 1starts the readout processing of the offset data O as shown in FIG. 10.FIG. 10 describes readout processing of the offset data O in the linkingmethod shown in FIG. 8.

In other words, when the generating processing of the image data D, andthe extracting and transferring processing of the preview image data Dpis performed, then, as shown in the left side portion of FIG. 10, theradiation image capturing apparatus 1 advances to the chargeaccumulating state after the reset processing of each radiationdetecting element 7 for one frame or a predetermined number of frames.Then, in a state in which the radiation is not irradiated to theradiation image capturing apparatus 1, when accumulating time τ set atthe same amount of time as the above accumulating time τ passes, asshown in the right side portion of FIG. 10, on voltage is sequentiallyapplied to each line L1 to Lx of the scanning line 5 from the gatedriver 15, and offset data O is read out from each radiation detectingelement 7 similar to the generating processing of the image data D.

As described above, other than the radiation not being irradiated to theradiation image capturing apparatus 1, the processing sequence the sameas the processing sequence up to the generating processing of the imagedata D is repeated to perform the readout processing of the offset dataO. Although illustration is omitted, in the non-linking method shown inFIG. 9 also, the processing sequence shown in FIG. 9 is repeated and thereadout processing of the offset data O is performed. The readoutprocessing of the offset data O can be performed before capturing.

When the offset data O is read out as described above, according to thepresent embodiment, when there is a transfer request from the console C,the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 transfers the image data Dother than the preview image data Dp and the offset data O read out fromeach radiation detecting element 7 to the console C. The image data Dand the offset data O can be immediately automatically transferred tothe console C when the readout processing of the offset data O ends.

[Configuration of Console]

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, according to the present embodiment, theconsole C including a computer, etc. is provided in the front room Rb(FIG. 1) or outside the capturing room (FIG. 2). The console C can beprovided in a suitable location.

A display unit Ca composed of a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) or an LCD (LiquidCrystal Display) is provided in the console C, and includes an inputunit such as a mouse or keyboard which is not shown. A storage unit Cbcomposed of the HDD (Hard Disk Drive) is connected to or included in theconsole C. Although illustration is omitted, HIS (Hospital InformationSystem), RIS (Radiology Information System), PACS (Picture Archiving andCommunication System) are connected to the console C through the networkN, etc.

[Associating Console and Capturing Room]

There is no particular problem in the radiation image capturing system50 in which the capturing room Ra and the console C are associated toeach other in advance one to one as shown in FIG. 1. However, as shownin FIG. 2, in an example in which a plurality of capturing rooms Ra (Ra1to Ra3) are associated to a plurality of consoles C through the networkN, etc., there is a possibility that even if the user such as theradiology technician, etc. performs a later described determinationprocessing on the console C for the image data D captured in thecapturing room Ra1, the image data D may be transferred to anotherconsole C and the processing may not be reliably performed.

As shown in FIG. 2, in most configurations of the radiation imagecapturing system 50 in which a plurality of capturing rooms Ra and aplurality of consoles C are associated, the user such as the radiologytechnician, etc. usually performs processing to specify (or direct) thecapturing room Ra to be used on one console C before capturing. When thecapturing room Ra is specified on a certain console C, the image data D,etc. is not transferred to the other consoles C from the specifiedcapturing room Ra, and the image data D is transferred to only thecertain console C. With this, the console C is associated with thecapturing room Ra.

For example, in this case, when the capturing room Ra1 is specified asthe capturing room to be used on the console C1, if the radiation imagecapturing apparatus 1 in the capturing room Ra1 is brought out andinserted in the cradle 55 of the capturing room Ra2, since the capturingroom Ra2 is not associated with the console C1, the radiation imagecapturing apparatus 1 cannot be controlled by the console C1.Alternatively, if the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 is broughtinto the capturing room Ra1 and inserted in the cradle 55 from anothercapturing room Ra or storage room, etc., the radiation image capturingapparatus 1 can be controlled by the console C1.

[Processing in Console]

Next, the processing in capturing in the console C is described. Theoperation of the radiation image capturing system 50 according to thepresent embodiment is also described.

When the console C is operated by the user such as the radiologytechnician, etc., the capturing order information regarding theradiation image capturing to be performed is obtained from the HIS orthe RIS. According to the present embodiment, as illustrated in theexample of FIG. 11, the capturing order information includes, patientinformation such as “patient ID” P2, “patient name” P3, “sex” P4, “age”P5, and “department” P6, and capturing condition such as “capturingsite” P7, “capturing direction” P8, and “posture” P9. The “capturingorder ID” P1 is automatically assigned to each piece of capturing orderinformation in the order that the capturing order is received.

When the console C obtains capturing order information, as shown in FIG.12, a list of the capturing order information is displayed in theselection screen H1 on the display unit Ca. In the selection screen H1,a capturing order information display column h11 is provided to displaya list of the capturing order information and a selection button h12 isprovided on the left side of the capturing order information displaycolumn h11 to select the capturing order information. An enter buttonh13 and a return button h14 are provided below the capturing orderinformation display column h11.

When the user clicks the select button h12 to select the capturing orderinformation, and clicks the enter button h13, the console C displays thescreen H2 as shown in FIG. 13 on the display unit Ca. FIG. 13 shows anexample in which 4 pieces of capturing order information regarding thepatient “A” are selected from the capturing order information shown inFIG. 12. In the example of the screen H2 shown in FIG. 13, by clicking a“+” button or a “−” button of each item on a display Ia for setting theirradiating condition on the right side of the screen, the irradiatingcondition such as tube voltage, tube current, irradiating time, etc. ofthe radiation irradiating apparatus 52 can be changed and set.

On the left side of the screen H2, the capturing site P7 (see FIG. 11and FIG. 12) specified by the capturing order information correspondingto an icon I displayed with focus as described later is displayed on ahuman body model Ib shown so that the user such as the radiologytechnician, etc. is able to understand at a glance.

Each icon I corresponding to each selected capturing order informationis displayed in the center portion of the screen H2. The icon I (icon I2in FIG. 13) corresponding to the capturing to be performed is displayedwith focus so as to stand out. When the user wants to perform capturingbased on capturing order information different from the capturing orderinformation corresponding to the icon I displayed with focus, the usercan click on another icon I corresponding to the different capturingorder information and make a selection to change the icon I displayedwith focus.

According to the example shown in FIG. 13, each icon I displays anoutline drawing showing modality of the bucky apparatus 51A for longlength capturing or the bucky apparatus 51B, 51C for standing positioncapturing or lying position capturing used in simple capturing and thetube voltage, the tube current, the irradiating time, etc. which areset.

It is possible to be able to specify in advance whether the capturing islong length capturing or simple capturing as the capturing condition inthe capturing order information. In this case, the console C determinesthe outline drawing displayed in each icon I according to the capturingmethod specified in the capturing order information, in other words,whether the long length capturing or the simple capturing is specified.

[Determination of Long Length Capturing or Simple Capturing by Console]

According to the present embodiment, it is possible to not specifywhether the capturing is performed by long length capturing or simplecapturing in the capturing order information (see FIG. 11). For example,as shown in FIG. 11, even if “entire lower extremity” is specified asthe capturing site P7, if the subject is an adult, long length capturingneeds to be performed, but if the subject is an infant, the “entirelower extremity” can be captured by simple capturing using one radiationimage capturing apparatus 1. In other words, even if the “entire lowerextremity” is specified as the capturing site P7 on the capturing orderinformation, long length capturing is not always performed.

When long length capturing or simple capturing is not specified on thecapturing order information, the console C is configured to judgewhether the capturing is performed by long length capturing or simplecapturing based on the capturing order information. In this case, theconsole C is configured to judge whether the capturing is performed bylong length capturing or simple capturing based on age P5 of the patientwho is the subject or capturing site P7.

However, the judgment of the console C and the judgment by the user suchas the radiology technician, etc. may not always match. Therefore, forexample, when the console C judges to perform the capturing by longlength capturing based on the age P5 of the patient, the capturing siteP7, etc. specified in the capturing order information as describedabove, the above judgment can be displayed on the display unit Ca, andthe judgment of the user can be consulted by displaying a button iconshowing “YES” or “NO” (not shown).

[Selection of Radiation Image Capturing Apparatus to be Used]

Based on the operation by the user such as the radiology technician,etc., the console C displays a selection screen H3 of the radiationimage capturing apparatus 1 as shown in FIG. 14 on the display unit Ca.The icons I corresponding to the radiation image capturing apparatuses 1in the capturing room Ra is displayed on the selection screen H3(according to the example of FIG. 14, I-1 a, I-1 b, I-1 e).

According to the present embodiment, when the radiation image capturingapparatus 1 is brought into the capturing room Ra, and the radiationimage capturing apparatus 1 is inserted in the cradle 55 or the tag ofthe radiation image capturing apparatus 1 is read by the tag reader 60,the cassette ID which is the identification information of the radiationimage capturing apparatus 1 is transmitted from the above detectingunits through the repeater 54 to the console C. Therefore, the console Cis able to store the above in the predetermined storage region of thestorage unit Cb so as to be able to recognize and manage which radiationimage capturing apparatus 1 is in the capturing room Ra.

Then, when the predetermined operation on the screen H2 is performed bythe user as described above, the cassette ID of the radiation imagecapturing apparatus 1 in the capturing room Ra is read from the storageregion of the storage unit Cb and the icon I corresponding to theradiation image capturing apparatus 1 in the capturing room Ra isdisplayed on the selection screen H3.

According to the present embodiment, for example, as shown in FIG. 14,when the icon I corresponding to the radiation image capturing apparatus1 is displayed, the console C displays whether the radiation imagecapturing apparatus 1 is an apparatus which performs capturing by theabove-described linking method or non-linking method on the icon I. Whenit is possible to perform capturing by either the linking method or thenon-linking method, this is notified by displaying, for example,“linking/non-linking”. The size (14×17 inches, etc.) of the radiationimage capturing apparatus 1 is also displayed in the icon I.

Below, the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 which is a typeperforming capturing with a linking method is referred to as linkingmethod radiation image capturing apparatus 1, and the radiation imagecapturing apparatus 1 which is a type performing capturing with anon-linking method is referred to as non-linking method radiation imagecapturing apparatus 1. As described above, in addition to the capturingmethod (linking method or non-linking method) and size, for example, theresolution, scintillator type, etc. of the radiation image capturingapparatus 1 can also be displayed in the icon I, and the content to bedisplayed can be suitably determined.

Although illustration is omitted, instead of or in addition todisplaying the capturing method, size, etc. of the radiation imagecapturing apparatus 1 as characters, etc. in the icon I as shown in FIG.14, it is possible to display the above by color or design. In otherwords, for example, the linking method radiation image capturingapparatus 1 is displayed with blue, the non-linking method radiationimage capturing apparatus 1 can be displayed with red, and each of thefollowing sizes of 14×17 inches, 14×14 inches, 17×17 inches, etc. isdisplayed by design such as rectangle (solid colored), stripe, dots,etc.

As described above, when the color or design representing the capturingmethod and the size of the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 aredisplayed in the icon I corresponding to the radiation image capturingapparatus, compared to when only the characters are displayed, the usersuch as the radiology technician, etc. is able to understand thecapturing method and the size of the radiation image capturing apparatus1 at a glance. Therefore, the possibility that the user selects thewrong capturing method or the size of the radiation image capturingapparatus 1 can be decreased. Since the same color, design, etc. isdisplayed in a predetermined position such as the side face of theradiation image capturing apparatus 1, etc. (see FIG. 6), the user suchas the radiology technician, etc. is able to recognize the capturingmethod, size, etc. of the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 bycolor, design, etc., and the possibility that the capturing method,size, etc. of the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 is mistaken andthe wrong radiation image capturing apparatus 1 being used can bereduced.

According to the present embodiment, the console C displays the icon Icorresponding to the modality in the capturing room Ra on the selectionscreen H3. FIG. 14 shows an example in which the bucky apparatuses 51A,51B, and 51C for long length capturing, simple capturing, and lyingposition capturing are provided in the capturing room Ra as themodality. Alternatively, for example, when only the bucky apparatus 51Afor long length capturing is provided, only the icon I-51A correspondingto the bucky apparatus 51A for long length capturing is displayed.

Here, when the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 is not loaded, forexample, the frame of the icon I corresponding to the bucky apparatuses51 is displayed with broken lines as shown in FIG. 14. When theradiation image capturing apparatus 1 is loaded, for example, the frameis displayed with solid lines as shown in FIG. 15 and the capturingmethod and the size of the loaded radiation image capturing apparatus 1is displayed nearby.

According to the present embodiment, the user such as the radiologytechnician, etc. is able to select the radiation image capturingapparatus 1 to be used in the capturing to be performed, in other words,the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 used in the capturingcorresponding to the icon I (icon I2 shown in FIG. 13) displayed withfocus as shown in FIG. 13 by clicking the icon I corresponding to theradiation image capturing apparatus 1 on the selection screen H3.

Then, when the icon I corresponding to the radiation image capturingapparatus 1 is selected on the selection screen H3, for example, asshown in FIG. 16, the selected icon I is displayed differently from thedisplay of other icons I such as with color (see icon I-1 c displayedwith diagonal lines in FIG. 16). Such display shows that the icon I isselected.

The console C is able to control the radiation image capturing apparatus1 to switch the above-described power consumption mode. In other words,when the icon I is selected on the selection screen H3, and theradiation image capturing apparatus 1 is selected, the console Ctransmits a switching signal to the selected radiation image capturingapparatus 1, and the power consumption mode of the radiation imagecapturing apparatus 1 is switched from power save mode to capturingpossible mode.

In other words, according to the present embodiment, when the icon Icorresponding to the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 is selectedon the selection screen H3, the console C changes the state of displayof the icon I to the state of display showing that the icon I isselected and the icon I is displayed as described above. Moreover, theconsole C transmits a switching signal to the radiation image capturingapparatus 1 corresponding to the selected icon I, and switches the powerconsumption mode of the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 from thepower save mode to the capturing possible mode.

According to the present embodiment, when it is judged that thecapturing is simple capturing based on the capturing order informationregarding the capturing to be performed, the console C controls only oneradiation image capturing apparatus 1 among the radiation imagecapturing apparatuses 1 in the capturing room Ra to be the capturingpossible mode.

In other words, when it is judged that the capturing to be performed issimple capturing, and the icon I corresponding to the radiation imagecapturing apparatus 1 is selected on the selection screen H3 by the usersuch as the radiology technician, etc., the switching signal istransmitted to the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 and the powerconsumption mode is switched to the capturing possible mode. Here, whenthere is another radiation image capturing apparatus 1 with the powerconsumption mode set to the capturing possible mode, a signal toinstruct the other radiation image capturing apparatus 1 to switch thepower consumption mode to the power save mode is transmitted so that thepower consumption mode of the other radiation image capturing apparatus1 is switched from the capturing possible mode to the power save mode.

As described above, when the user such as the radiology technician,etc., operates the switching switch 26 (see FIG. 6) of the radiationimage capturing apparatus 1, the power consumption mode of the radiationimage capturing apparatus 1 can be switched from the power save mode tothe capturing possible mode. When the user switches the powerconsumption mode of the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 to thecapturing possible mode, it is assumed that the user desires to performcapturing using the radiation image capturing apparatus 1.

Therefore, for example, when the user such as the radiology technician,etc., operates the switching switch 26 of the radiation image capturingapparatus 1 in the capturing room Ra and switches the power consumptionmode to capturing possible mode, the console C performs processingsimilar to when the icon I corresponding to the radiation imagecapturing apparatus 1 is selected on the selection screen H3. When thepower consumption mode of the other radiation image capturing apparatus1 is in a capturing possible mode, similar to the above, the powerconsumption mode of the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 isswitched to the power save mode.

According to the present embodiment, as described above, when it isjudged that the capturing to be performed is simple capturing, theconsole C allows only one of the radiation image capturing apparatuses 1in the capturing room Ra to advance to the capturing possible state (inother words, capturing possible mode).

According to the above configuration, when the capturing to be performedis simple capturing, by allowing only one radiation image capturingapparatus 1 in the capturing room Ra to advance to the capturingpossible state (capturing possible mode), and setting the electricconsumption mode of the other radiation image capturing apparatuses 1 tothe power save mode, the following advantageous effects can be achieved.

When the power consumption mode of the other linking method radiationimage capturing apparatus 1 is in the capturing possible mode, the otherradiation image capturing apparatus 1 which is not used in the capturingmay return an interlock release signal to the radiation irradiatingapparatus 52 transmitting the irradiating start signal in capturing.Then, the irradiation may be irradiated from the radiation irradiatingapparatus 52 even when the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 to beused in the capturing has not yet advanced to the charge accumulatingstate. According to the present embodiment, it is possible to accuratelyprevent the above situation.

When the power consumption mode of the other non-linking methodradiation image capturing apparatus 1 is in the capturing possible mode,the other radiation image capturing apparatus 1 may detect the start ofirradiation of radiation when the irradiation of the radiation from theradiation irradiating apparatus 52 starts. After advancing to the chargeaccumulating state, generating processing of the image data D may beperformed, and the preview image data Dp, the image data D, etc. may betransferred to the console C. After capturing, the preview image dataDp, the image data D, etc. may be transferred to the console C from theplurality of radiation image capturing apparatuses 1, which are theradiation image capturing apparatus 1 used in the capturing and theradiation image capturing apparatus 1 not used in the capturing.According to the present embodiment, it is possible to accuratelyprevent the above situation.

Therefore, according to the above configuration, it is possible toaccurately prevent confusion as described above from occurring when thesimple capturing is performed, and simple capturing can be accuratelyperformed. Regardless of whether the linking method radiation imagecapturing apparatus 1 or the non-linking method radiation imagecapturing apparatus 1 is used, it is possible to accurately preventwasting power of the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 by switchingthe power consumption mode of the radiation image capturing apparatus 1not used in the capturing to the power save mode.

Alternatively, when the capturing to be performed is long lengthcapturing, it is necessary for the power consumption mode of theplurality of radiation image capturing apparatuses 1 used in the longlength capturing to be in the capturing possible mode at the same time.Therefore, when the capturing to be performed is judged to be longlength capturing, the console C allows the icons I corresponding to theplurality of radiation image capturing apparatuses 1 in the capturingroom Ra to be selected on the selection screen H3, and allows theplurality of radiation image capturing apparatuses 1 to advance to thecapturing possible state (in other words, capturing possible mode).

According to the above configuration, when the capturing to be performedis long length capturing, the plurality of radiation image capturingapparatuses 1 in the capturing room Ra are allowed to advance to thecapturing possible state (capturing possible mode), and the long lengthcapturing can be accurately performed.

[Effect]

As described above, according to the radiation image capturing system 50of the present embodiment, when the console C judges that the capturingis long length capturing based on the capturing order information, theconsole C allows the plurality of radiation image capturing apparatuses1 in the capturing room Ra to advance to the capturing possible state(in other words, capturing possible mode). When the console C judgesthat the capturing is not long length capturing (in other words, it issimple capturing), the console C allows only one of the radiation imagecapturing apparatuses 1 in the capturing room Ra to advance to thecapturing possible state. Therefore, the capturing can be accuratelyperformed regardless of whether the capturing to be performed is thesimple capturing or the long length capturing.

As shown in FIG. 2, when the radiation image capturing system 50 isconfigured so that the plurality of capturing rooms Ra (Ra1 to Ra3) areassociated with one or a plurality of consoles C, similarly, when theconsole C judges that the capturing is long length capturing based onthe capturing order information, the plurality of radiation imagecapturing apparatuses 1 in the capturing room Ra associated with theconsole C is allowed to advance to the capturing possible state and whenthe console C judges that the capturing is not the long lengthcapturing, only one radiation image capturing apparatus 1 in theassociated capturing room Ra is allowed to advance to the capturingpossible state. With this, the capturing can be accurately performedregardless of whether the capturing to be performed is the singlecapturing or the long length capturing.

In both the simple capturing and the long length capturing, even if theradiation image capturing apparatus 1 to be used is selected but theradiation image capturing apparatus 1 is not loaded on the suitablebucky apparatus 51, measures necessary to warn the user such as theradiology technician, etc. that the radiation image capturing apparatus1 is not loaded on the bucky apparatus 51 are suitably taken such as abeeping sound may be generated from the console C or an alarm device,etc. (not shown) provided in the capturing room Ra.

According to the above, the power consumption mode of the radiationimage capturing apparatus 1 being in the capturing possible mode isdescribed as the state in which capturing by the radiation imagecapturing apparatus 1 is possible. The capturing possible state of theradiation image capturing apparatus 1 is not limited to when the powerconsumption mode of the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 is in thecapturing possible mode. For example, the radiation image capturingapparatus 1 can be set to the capturing possible state when the power ofthe radiation image capturing apparatus 1 in the off state is turned on.

[Processing Thereafter in the Console]

As described above, regardless of whether the capturing is performed bythe linking method or the non-linking method, the preview image data Dpis transferred from the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 to theconsole C when the capturing ends. Therefore, the console C performspredetermined image processing on the transferred preview image data Dpand preview image p_pre is generated. The preview image p_pre isdisplayed in the position of the icon I displayed with focus on thescreen H2 as described in FIG. 17, in other words, the icon I (see iconI2 of FIG. 13) corresponding to the capturing order informationregarding the capturing. The preview image p_pre can be displayedenlarged on the screen H2.

Similarly in simple capturing and long length capturing, as describedabove, when the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 is formed in thesize conforming to the JIS standard size, the vertical direction and thehorizontal direction of the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 whenthe radiation image capturing apparatus 1 is loaded on the buckyapparatus 51 may not be the correct direction and may be opposite (inother words, rotated 180°). Therefore, when the image read from theradiation image capturing apparatuses 1 is displayed as is, the previewimage p_pre and the later described radiation image p may be displayedin the incorrect direction. In such case, subject site recognizingprocessing or display rotating processing as described in JapanesePatent No. 3731400 or Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open PublicationNo. 2000-157519 can be used to display the images in the correctdirection (in other words, direction suitable for interpretation) ordisplay the combined long length image in the correct direction.

When the user such as the radiology technician, etc. sees the previewimage p_pre, judges that capturing needs to be performed again, and forexample, the “NG” button icon of the icon I is clicked, the console Cinstructs the information of the preview image p_pre to be destroyed andinstructs the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 to perform capturingagain. The radiation image capturing apparatus 1 which receives theinstruction stops the readout processing of the offset data O performedat the moment, and prepares for capturing again by, for example,performing the reset processing of the radiation detecting elements 7again.

When the user such as the radiology technician, etc. sees the previewimage p_pre and clicks the “OK” button icon of the icon I, or the “NG”button icon is not clicked within a predetermined amount of time afterthe console C displays the preview image p_pre, it is judged that theuser approved the preview image p_pre, and the user judged that thecapturing does not need to be performed again. Then, a request fortransfer is made to the radiation image capturing apparatus 1.

When the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 receives the transferrequest, the image data D other than the preview image data Dp and theoffset data O is transferred to the console C. Then, when the image dataD, the offset data O, etc. are transferred from the radiation imagecapturing apparatus 1 as described above, the console C subtracts theoffset data O from the image data D for each radiation detecting element7 according to the formula (1) described below and calculates the trueimage data D*.

D*=D−O  (1)

Then, gain correction and the defective pixel correction is performed onthe calculated true image data D*, the image processing such asgradation processing according to the capturing site is performed togenerate the radiation image, and the generated radiation image p isoverwritten and displayed on the preview image p_pre.

After fine adjustment of the image is performed as necessary by the userwho sees the radiation image p, when the “OK” button icon of the icon Iis clicked and the finalizing processing is performed, the console Cassociates the data of the generated radiation image p with thecapturing order information regarding the capturing to finalize thecapturing order information, and transmits the finalized capturing orderinformation and the radiation image p to the external system such asPACS as necessary.

In long length capturing, the image data D and the offset data O aretransferred from the three radiation image capturing apparatuses 1 shownin FIG. 1 to the console C. Similar to the above-described simplecapturing, the console C calculates the true image data D* (in otherwords, D*1 to D*3 in the diagram) as shown in FIG. 18A based on theimage data D and the offset data O transferred from the radiation imagecapturing apparatuses 1. The true image data D* is referred to as simplythe image data D*.

The console C positions the edges of the image data D*1 to D*3, combinesthe plurality of pieces of image data D*1 to D*3, and generates onepiece of long length image data D*long. Here, as described above (seeFIG. 1), according to the present embodiment, since the capturing can beperformed by irradiating the radiation only once (in other words, oneshot) from the radiation irradiating apparatus 52, the problem of bodymovement of the subject H does not occur. Therefore, the image data D*1to D*3 can be accurately combined and the long length image data D*longcan be generated.

Well-known methods such as methods described in Japanese PatentApplication Laid-Open Publication No. 2013-154146 can be used in thepositioning, combining processing, etc. of the image data D*1 to D*3. Inthe long length capturing also, the preview image data Dp is transferredfrom the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 to the console C beforethe image data D, etc. is transferred. Therefore, the console C performspredetermined image processing on the preview image data Dp transferredform the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 to generate the previewimage p_pre and the preview image p_pre combining the above is displayedon the screen H2.

When the preview image data Dp, the image data D, etc. are transferredalmost simultaneously by wireless communication from the plurality ofradiation image capturing apparatuses 1, the wireless communication mayinterfere with each other. Therefore, for example, it is possible totransfer the data from the radiation image capturing apparatuses 1 tothe console C through different channels.

Similar to the above, if the plurality of radiation image capturingapparatuses 1 are not loaded in the right direction when loaded in thelong length capturing bucky apparatus 51A, the positioning of the edgesof the image data D*1 to D*3 and the combining processing of the imagedata D*1 to D*3 cannot be suitably performed within a short amount oftime. Therefore, in this case, in the long length capturing also,normally, positioning and the combining processing can be performed byusing the state that the radiation is irradiated from the radiationirradiating apparatus 52 to the subject H with the irradiating fieldnarrowed.

Specifically, since the radiation is irradiated in a state in which theirradiating field is narrowed, the radiation is not irradiated to thebottom edge portion (see FIG. 18A) of the image data D*1 generated inthe radiation image capturing apparatus 1 provided in the bottom edgeamong the three radiation image capturing apparatuses 1 (see FIG. 1)loaded on the long length capturing bucky apparatus 51A, and the subjectH is often not captured. The radiation is also not irradiated to the topedge portion of the image data D*3 generated in the radiation imagecapturing apparatus 1 positioned in the top edge, and the subject H isoften not captured. On the other hand, in the image data D*2 generatedin the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 positioned in the center,the radiation reaches the top edge portion and the bottom edge portion.Therefore, the subject H is captured.

Therefore, for example, the console C observes the profile (in otherwords, whether there is an edge) of the image data at the top edgeportion and the bottom edge portion in the generated three pieces ofimage data D*1 to D*3. The image data D*2 which has gradation formedwhen capturing the subject H on the top edge portion and the bottom edgeportion is determined to be the image data generated in the radiationimage capturing apparatus 1 provided in the center among the threeradiation image capturing apparatuses 1 loaded on the long lengthcapturing bucky apparatus 51A.

Then, for example, pattern matching of the edge portion of the imagedata D*1 to D*3 may be performed. With the image data D*2 generated inthe radiation image capturing apparatus 1 positioned in the center asthe reference, the image data D*1 generated in the radiation imagecapturing apparatus 1 positioned in the bottom side and the image dataD*3 generated in the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 positioned inthe top side may be determined. Then, the positioning and the combiningprocessing may be performed. In this case also, the combined andgenerated long length image data D*long may be upside down entirely. Inthis case, for example, it is possible to apply the above-describeddisplay rotation processing on the combined and generated one piece oflong length image data D*long to display in the correct direction.

When the long length capturing is performed, if different amount ofaccumulating time τ (see FIG. 8 and FIG. 9) is set in the plurality ofradiation image capturing apparatuses 1, after capturing, the previewimage data Dp, the image data D, etc. are transferred in differenttiming from each radiation image capturing apparatus 1, and theprocessing in the console C becomes difficult to perform.

Therefore, for example, the console C is able to control the pluralityof radiation image capturing apparatuses 1 used in long length capturingto transmit the information of the specific accumulating time τ and toperform processing in each radiation image capturing apparatus 1 basedon the specific accumulating time τ while at least the long lengthcapturing is performed. Alternatively, including the other radiationimage capturing apparatuses 1 in the power save mode, the console C cantransmit the information of the specific accumulating time τ to all ofthe radiation image capturing apparatuses 1, and set the specificaccumulating time τ in all of the radiation image capturing apparatuses1 at least while the long length capturing is performed. In this case,after the long length capturing, the accumulating time τ of eachradiation image capturing apparatus 1 is returned to the originalaccumulating time τ.

Then, in the long length capturing also, similar to the simplecapturing, after the user who sees the radiation image p of the longlength capturing generated and displayed by the console C performs fineadjustment of the image as necessary, when the finalizing processing isperformed by, for example, clicking the “OK” button icon of the icon I,the console C associates the data of the generated radiation image p ofthe long length capturing with the capturing order information regardingthe capturing to finalize the capturing order information, and thefinalized capturing order information, the radiation image p of the longlength capturing, etc. are transmitted to the external system such asPACS as necessary.

[Specific Cases]

Next, specific cases which may occur when the radiation image capturingsystem 50 is applied are described below.

[Example when Radiation Irradiating Apparatus is Receiving InterlockControl]

Described below is an example when the radiation irradiating apparatus52 is receiving interlock control as described above, in other words, anexample in which the radiation irradiating apparatus 52 is a type inwhich an irradiating start signal is transmitted to the radiation imagecapturing apparatus 1 when the emitting switch 56 is fully pressed (seeFIG. 5C), and the radiation is irradiated when the interlock releasesignal is received from the radiation image capturing apparatus 1.

When simple capturing is performed using the linking method radiationimage capturing apparatus 1, as described above, the radiation imagecapturing can be performed by communicating with the signal (irradiatingstart signal, interlock release signal, etc.) between the radiationimage capturing apparatus 1 and the radiation irradiating apparatus 52.

When the long length capturing is performed using the plurality oflinking method radiation image capturing apparatuses 1, if the pluralityof radiation image capturing apparatuses 1 separately transmit theinterlock release signal in response to the irradiating start signalfrom the radiation irradiating apparatus 52, the radiation is irradiatedwhen the radiation irradiating apparatus 52 receives the first interlockrelease signal. Therefore, there is a possibility that the radiation isirradiated to the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 which has notyet advanced to the charge accumulating state.

Therefore, in such situation, the radiation irradiating apparatus 52 canbe set so that the radiation is irradiated when the interlock releasesignal is transmitted from all radiation image capturing apparatuses 1.However, in this case, it is necessary to rewrite the program of theradiation irradiating apparatus 52. Therefore, the followingconfiguration is possible, for example, the signal communicated betweenthe radiation irradiating apparatus 52 and each radiation imagecapturing apparatus 1 is repeated by the repeater 54 (see FIG. 1 andFIG. 2) and the console C, and the repeater 54 and the console C doesnot transmit the interlock release signal to the radiation irradiatingapparatus 52 until the interlock release signals from all radiationimage capturing apparatuses 1 are present. When the interlock releasesignals from all radiation image capturing apparatuses 1 are present,the interlock release signal can be transmitted to the radiationirradiating apparatus 52.

When the simple capturing and the long length capturing are performedusing the non-linking method radiation image capturing apparatus 1,since the signal (irradiating start signal, interlock release signal,etc.) is not communicated between the radiation image capturingapparatus 1 and the radiation irradiating apparatus 52 as describedabove in the non-linking method, even if the radiation irradiatingapparatus 52 transmits the irradiating start signal, the interlockrelease signal is not transmitted from the radiation image capturingapparatus 1 no matter how much time passes, and the radiationirradiating apparatus 52 is not able to irradiate radiation.

In this case, when the radiation irradiating apparatus 52 can beconnected with the console C and the repeater 54, and the irradiatingstart signal can be transmitted from the radiation irradiating apparatus52, a dummy signal corresponding to the interlock release signal can betransmitted from the console C and the repeater 54, and the radiationcan be irradiated from the radiation irradiating apparatus 52. Then,when the radiation is irradiated from the radiation irradiatingapparatus 52, the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 itself detectsthe start of irradiation of radiation and the state is advanced to thecharge accumulating state. With this, accurate capturing is possible.

When the linking method radiation image capturing apparatus 1 and thenon-linking method radiation image capturing apparatus 1 are loaded in amixed state in the long length capturing bucky apparatus 51A when longlength capturing is performed, for example, the console C is to graspthe linking method radiation image capturing apparatuses 1 loaded in thelong length capturing bucky apparatus 51A, and repeats the communicationof signals between the radiation irradiating apparatus 52 and theradiation image capturing apparatus 1. Then, the console C transmits theirradiating start signal transmitted from the radiation irradiatingapparatus 52 to the linking method radiation image capturing apparatus1. When the interlock release signals from the above radiation imagecapturing apparatuses 1 are present, the interlock release signals aretransmitted to the radiation irradiating apparatus 52. With this, it ispossible to accurately perform long length capturing in an example asdescribed above.

[Example when Radiation Irradiating Apparatus does not Receive InterlockControl]

However, there are radiation irradiating apparatuses 52 which do notreceive the above-described interlock control, and there are radiationirradiating apparatuses 52 which immediately irradiate radiation whenthe emitting switch 56 is fully pressed (see FIG. 5C). When the simplecapturing or the long length capturing using the linking methodradiation image capturing apparatus 1 is performed in the capturing roomRa provided with such radiation irradiating apparatus 52, the radiationis irradiated without the irradiating start signal being transmittedfrom the radiation irradiating apparatus 52.

Therefore, the radiation is irradiated while the radiation imagecapturing apparatus 1 is performing the reset processing of eachradiation detecting element 7 before capturing, and the capturing cannotbe accurately performed. When the radiation irradiating apparatus 52 isthe apparatus which does not receive interlock control, the linkingmethod radiation image capturing apparatus 1 cannot be used in thecapturing.

When the radiation irradiating apparatus 52 provided in the capturingroom Ra does not receive interlock control, and the linking methodradiation image capturing apparatus 1 is selected as the radiation imagecapturing apparatus 1 to be used in the capturing, the console C or thealarm device in the capturing room Ra which receives the instructionfrom the console C can warn the user such as the radiology technician,etc. by sound or display that the selected radiation image capturingapparatus 1 cannot be used in the capturing.

[Configuration, Etc. Of Bucky Apparatus]

According to the above description, for example, the console C is ableto recognize the size of the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 orwhether the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 loaded on the buckyapparatus 51 captures by the linking method or the non-linking method(for example, see FIG. 15, etc.).

When the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 is loaded on the buckyapparatus 51, for example, as shown in FIG. 19, when the connector 27(see FIG. 6) of the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 is connectedwith the connector 51 b of the bucky apparatus 51, the cassette ID whichis the identification information of the loaded radiation imagecapturing apparatus 1 and the identification information of the buckyapparatus 51 (hereinafter referred to as bucky ID) are transmitted tothe console C from the bucky apparatus 51 through the cable 51 c. Then,the console C holds in advance a list which associates theidentification information of the radiation image capturing apparatus 1in the facilities such as the hospital with the capturing method(linking method or non-linking method), size, etc. When the cassette IDand the bucky ID are transmitted from the bucky apparatus 51, the listis referred. With this, the console C is able to recognize whichradiation image capturing apparatus 1 is loaded on which bucky apparatus51.

The cassette ID, etc. of the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 canbe read by a reading unit provided in the bucky apparatus 51, such as atag reader or a barcode reader. The tag reader can read theabove-described RFID tag. The barcode reader can read the barcodeattached to the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 when the apparatusis loaded.

[Performing Long Length Capturing Using Bucky Apparatus not IncludingConnector]

In bucky apparatuses 51, there is a bucky apparatus 51 which isconfigured to be loaded with a cassette including conventional screenfilm or a CR cassette including a stimulable phosphor sheet. In suchbucky apparatus 51, the above-described connector 51 b is usually notprovided.

Therefore, when the capturing is performed using such bucky apparatus51, the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 cannot communicate thesignal with the radiation irradiating apparatus 52 by wiredcommunication through the connector 27 (see FIG. 6). Therefore, it isnot always easy to perform capturing by the linking method.Consequently, it is preferable to load the non-linking method radiationimage capturing apparatus 1 on the bucky apparatus 51 to performcapturing when the capturing is performed using the bucky apparatus 51which is not provided with the connector 51 b as described above.

According to the present embodiment, as described above, the console Cjudges whether to perform capturing by long length capturing or simplecapturing based on the age P5 of the patient who is the subject,capturing site P7, etc. (see FIG. 11 and FIG. 12). When it is judgedthat the capturing to be performed is the long length capturing, thepower consumption mode of the plurality of radiation image capturingapparatuses 1 in the capturing room Ra is switched from the power savemode to the capturing possible mode or the user such as the radiologytechnician, etc. operates the switching switch 26 (see FIG. 6) of theradiation image capturing apparatus 1 to allow the power consumptionmode of the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 to be switched to thecapturing possible mode.

However, in the long length capturing, the user such as the radiologytechnician, etc. needs to load, for example, three non-linking methodradiation image capturing apparatuses 1 in the long length capturingbucky apparatus 51A which does not include the connector 51 b.Therefore, there is a possibility that the user such as the radiologytechnician, etc. mistakes the non-linking method radiation imagecapturing apparatus 1 to be loaded. In this case, when the radiationimage capturing apparatus 1 with the power consumption mode set in thepower save mode is loaded by mistake, the radiation image capturingapparatus 1 cannot detect the start of irradiation of radiation and theimage data D of the portion captured by this radiation image capturingapparatus 1 cannot be obtained. As a result, capturing needs to beperformed again.

In order to prevent such situation, for example, when the long lengthcapturing is performed by loading a plurality of non-linking methodradiation image capturing apparatuses 1 in the long length capturingbucky apparatus 51A which does not include the connector 51 b asdescribed above, the console C can be configured to switch the powerconsumption mode of all of the non-linking method radiation imagecapturing apparatuses 1 in the capturing room Ra from the power savemode to the capturing possible mode. In such case, the console C can beconfigured so that the user such as the radiology technician, etc.operates the switching switch 26 of the non-linking method radiationimage capturing apparatus 1 in the capturing room Ra to allow the powerconsumption mode to be switched to the capturing possible mode.

According to the above configuration, if the power consumption mode ofall of the non-linking method radiation image capturing apparatuses 1 inthe capturing room Ra are switched to the capturing possible mode, thenon-linking method radiation image capturing apparatus 1 loaded on thelong length capturing bucky apparatus 51A and irradiated with radiationdetects the start of irradiation of radiation and advances to the chargeaccumulating state. Then, the image data D is accurately generated andthe preview image data Dp and the image data D are transferred to theconsole C. The non-linking method radiation image capturing apparatus 1which is not loaded in the long length capturing bucky apparatus 51A isnot irradiated with radiation. Therefore, the non-linking methodradiation image capturing apparatus 1 does not perform generatingprocessing or transfer processing of the image data D.

Consequently, according to the above configuration, even if the usermakes a mistake and loads the wrong non-linking method radiation imagecapturing apparatus 1 to be loaded in the long length capturing buckyapparatus 51A, the image data D, etc. is transferred to the console Cfrom only, for example, the three non-linking method radiation imagecapturing apparatuses 1 irradiated with radiation in the long lengthcapturing. Therefore, the console C is able to accurately generate onelong length image data D* by combining the plurality of pieces of imagedata D*1 to D*3 based on the image data D, etc. transferred from theseradiation image capturing apparatuses 1 (see FIG. 18A and FIG. 18B).With this, the long length capturing can be accurately performed.Consequently, it is possible to accurately prevent the above-describedsituation in which capturing needs to be performed again.

In this case also, the following configuration can be provided. A tagreader which reads the RFID tag or a barcode reader which reads thebarcode is attached to the long length capturing bucky apparatus 51Awhich does not include the connector 51 b. The cassette ID, etc. of theloaded radiation image capturing apparatus 1 is read by a reading unitsuch as the tag reader or the barcode reader. When the loaded radiationimage capturing apparatus 1 is different from the radiation imagecapturing apparatus 1 selected on the console C, a warning can begenerated by sound or display.

[Long Length Capturing Using Bucky Apparatus Including Connector]

When the plurality of radiation image capturing apparatuses 1 are loadedon the long length capturing bucky apparatus 51A including the connector51 b to perform long length capturing, as shown in FIG. 19, theconnector 51 b of the bucky apparatus 51 is connected to the connector27 of the radiation image capturing apparatus 1. With this, theradiation image capturing apparatus 1 is able to communicate signalswith the radiation irradiating apparatus 52 through the cable 51 c andthe capturing can be performed by the linking method. Therefore, in thiscase, the linking method radiation image capturing apparatus 1 can beused as the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 loaded on the longlength capturing bucky apparatus 51A including the connector 51 b.

Even if the long length capturing bucky apparatus 51A includes theconnector 51 b, similar to the above, the plurality of non-linkingmethod radiation image capturing apparatuses 1 can be loaded on thebucky apparatus 51A to perform capturing. In this case, the plurality ofnon-linking method radiation image capturing apparatuses 1 are loaded ina state in which the connector 27 is connected to the connector 51 b ofthe bucky apparatus 51A. Although signals are not communicated with theradiation irradiating apparatus 52 through the cable 51 c (see FIG. 19),it is possible to receive supply of electric power from outside throughthe cable 51 c.

Even if the long length capturing bucky apparatus 51A includes theconnector 51 b, when the radiation irradiating apparatus 52 is theapparatus which does not receive interlock control, the radiation imagecapturing apparatus 1 loaded on the long length capturing buckyapparatus 51A needs to be the non-linking radiation image capturingapparatus as described above.

[Judgement of Whether or not Long Length Capturing can be Performed byConsole]

As described above, the connector 51 b of the bucky apparatus 51A isconnected to the connector 27 of the radiation image capturing apparatus1 to transmit the cassette ID which is the identification information ofthe radiation image capturing apparatus 1 to the console C when theplurality of radiation image capturing apparatuses 1 are loaded on thelong length capturing bucky apparatus 51A. Alternatively, theabove-described tag reader or barcode reader reads the cassette ID ofthe loaded radiation image capturing apparatus 1 to transmit thecassette ID to the console C. With this, the console C is able to judgewhich radiation image capturing apparatus 1 is loaded in which loadingposition of the long length capturing bucky apparatus 51A. Therefore,the console C is able to judge whether it is possible to perform longlength capturing in the above state.

In other words, the console C is able to judge whether the long lengthcapturing can be performed based on the cassette ID of the loadedradiation image capturing apparatus 1 read with the reading unit such asthe connector 51 b of the long length capturing bucky apparatus 51A orthe tag reader or the barcode reader.

Described below is an example in which the reading unit is the connector51 b of the bucky apparatus 51A. Alternatively, the reading unit such asthe tag reader or the barcode reader can be provided in the loadingposition of the bucky apparatus 51A to perform the function similar tothe connector 51 b. In the example below, as shown in, for example, FIG.20A, up to three radiation image capturing apparatuses 1 can be loadedon the long length capturing bucky apparatus 51A. Alternatively, thesame description can apply when two radiation image capturingapparatuses 1 can be loaded or four or more radiation image capturingapparatuses 1 can be loaded.

Specifically, as shown in the schematic diagram of FIG. 20A, forexample, three loading positions α, β, and γ are provided in the longlength capturing bucky apparatus 51A, and one radiation image capturingapparatus 1 can be loaded in each position, resulting in a total ofthree image capturing apparatuses 1. In this case, connectors 51 bα, 51bβ, and 51 bγ are provided in each respective loading position α, β, andγ of the bucky apparatus 51A. When the radiation image capturingapparatus 1 is loaded, the connectors 51 bα, 51 bβ, and 51 bγ are eachconnected to the connector 27 (not shown in FIG. 20A, etc.).

When the connector 27 of the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 to beloaded is connected to any of the connectors 51 bα, 51 bβ, and 51 bγ ofthe loading positions α, β, and γ, the long length capturing buckyapparatus 51A reads the cassette ID of the radiation image capturingapparatus 1 and transmits the read cassette ID with the identificationinformation (hereinafter referred to as connector ID) of the connector51 b connected to the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 to theconsole C.

The console C associates the cassette ID and the connector IDtransmitted from the long length capturing bucky apparatus 51A andstores and manages the above in the storage unit Cb. Moreover, theconsole C recognizes which radiation image capturing apparatus 1 isloaded in which loading position α, β, and γ of the long lengthcapturing bucky apparatus 51A.

For example, as shown in FIG. 20A, when the radiation image capturingapparatus 1 is loaded in each loading position α, β, and γ of the longlength capturing bucky apparatus 51A, the long length capturing can beperformed. Then, when the console C judges that the long lengthcapturing can be performed, the console C switches the power consumptionmode of the plurality of radiation image capturing apparatuses 1 loadedon the long length capturing bucky apparatus 51A from the power savemode to the capturing possible mode to advance to the capturing possiblestate.

According to the above configuration, when the long length capturing canbe performed, the plurality of radiation image capturing apparatuses 1loaded on the long length capturing bucky apparatus 51A is advancedaccurately to the capturing possible state. Therefore, the long lengthcapturing can be accurately performed.

Although illustration is omitted, for example, the console C judges thatthe long length capturing cannot be performed when only one radiationimage capturing apparatus 1 is loaded in any of the loading positions α,β, and γ of the long length capturing bucky apparatus 51A.

For example, as shown in FIG. 20B, even if a plurality of radiationimage capturing apparatuses 1 are loaded on the long length capturingbucky apparatus 51A, if the loading positions where the plurality ofradiation image capturing apparatuses 1 are loaded are not continuous,for example, the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 is loaded in theloading positions α and γ but the radiation image capturing apparatus 1is not loaded in the loading position β in between, the long lengthcapturing cannot be performed.

Therefore, the console C is configured to judge that the long lengthcapturing cannot be performed when the loading positions α, β, and γ ofthe plurality of radiation image capturing apparatuses 1 loaded on thelong length capturing bucky apparatus 51A are not continuous.

When the console C judges that the long length capturing cannot beperformed even if the long length capturing bucky apparatus 51A is used(in other words, the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 is loaded),the console C notifies to the user such as the radiology technician,etc. that the long length capturing cannot be performed by, for example,display on the display unit Ca of the console C, generating sound, orthrough a notifying unit by sound or display provided in the capturingroom Ra.

According to the above configuration, in a situation in which the longlength capturing cannot be performed, it is possible to accuratelynotify that the long length capturing cannot be performed under thepresent conditions before the user such as the radiology technician,etc. allows the radiation to be irradiated from the radiationirradiating apparatus 52. With this, it is possible to accuratelyprevent the radiation being irradiated in a situation where long lengthcapturing cannot be performed.

Although illustration is omitted, for example, if the radiation imagecapturing apparatus 1 in the loading position α is loaded in the loadingposition β or the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 in the loadingposition γ is loaded in the loading position β from the state as shownin FIG. 20B, the loading positions of the plurality of radiation imagecapturing apparatuses 1 are in a continuous state in the long lengthcapturing bucky apparatus 51A. The following configuration is possiblein which the console C judges that the long length capturing can beperformed if the loading positions of the plurality of radiation imagecapturing apparatuses are continuous.

Although illustration is omitted, the following configuration ispossible in which the user such as the radiology technician, etc. iswarned by enlarging the display on the display unit Ca of the console Cshowing the state such as only one radiation image capturing apparatus 1being loaded on the long length capturing bucky apparatus 51A or theloading positions α, β, and γ of the plurality of radiation imagecapturing apparatuses 1 not being continuous (see FIG. 20B) even whenthe long length capturing is performed.

The following configuration is possible in which the console C displayson the display unit Ca that the radiation image capturing apparatus 1loaded in the loading position α is loaded in the loading position β, orthe radiation image capturing apparatus 1 loaded in the loading positionγ is loaded in the loading position β from the state shown in FIG. 20B,and the user judges whether the long length capturing can be performedwith two radiation image capturing apparatuses 1.

For example, as shown in FIG. 20A, even if three radiation imagecapturing apparatuses 1 are loaded on the long length capturing buckyapparatus 51A, for example, as described above, when the radiationirradiating apparatus 52 is the apparatus which does not receiveinterlock control, the capturing cannot be performed if the linkingmethod radiation image capturing apparatus 1 is loaded. Therefore, insuch case, when it becomes clear that the loaded radiation imagecapturing apparatus 1 is the linking method radiation image capturingapparatus 1 based on the transmitted cassette ID, the console C judgesthat the long length capturing cannot be performed. Preferably, forexample, the console C is configured to notify the user to load thenon-linking method radiation image capturing apparatus 1 in such case.

[Size and Position of Plurality of Loaded Radiation Image CapturingApparatuses]

As shown in FIG. 21A, the plurality of radiation image capturingapparatuses 1 loaded on the long length capturing bucky apparatus 51Amay each have a different size. FIG. 21A shows the radiation imagecapturing apparatus 1 with a size of 14×17 inches loaded in the loadingpositions α and γ, and the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 with asize of 14×14 inches loaded in the loading position β.

When the sizes of the plurality of radiation image capturing apparatuses1 loaded in the long length capturing bucky apparatus 51 are different,for example, the radiation needs to be irradiated with the irradiatingfield narrowed as shown in the long and short dashed line of FIG. 21A sothat the irradiated radiation does not fall out of the left and rightboundaries of the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 with thesmallest width (in the example shown in FIG. 21A, the radiation imagecapturing apparatus 1 in the loading position β with the size 14×14inches).

For example, when it is judged that the sizes of the plurality ofradiation image capturing apparatuses 1 loaded on the long lengthcapturing bucky apparatus 51A are different based on the cassette ID ofeach radiation image capturing apparatus 1 transmitted from the longlength capturing bucky apparatus 51A, the console C can be configured tonotify a warning to the user such as the radiology technician, etc. tobe cautious of the setting of the irradiating field of the radiation tobe irradiated by displaying the warning on the display unit Ca orgenerating sound.

When the sizes of the plurality of radiation image capturing apparatuses1 loaded on the long length capturing bucky apparatus 51A are differentas described above, as shown in FIG. 21A or FIG. 21B, for example,depending on whether the plurality of radiation image capturingapparatuses 1 are aligned at the center position (FIG. 21A) or theradiation image capturing apparatuses 1 are aligned to the right of thebucky apparatus 51A (FIG. 21B) or the radiation image capturingapparatuses 1 are aligned to the left (not shown), the position of theirradiating field of the radiation to be irradiated in the horizontaldirection changes.

Therefore, although illustration is omitted, for example, a detectingunit can be provided to detect, in the horizontal direction, theposition of the radiation image capturing apparatuses 1 loaded in theloading positions α, β, and γ in the long length capturing buckyapparatus 51A to display the positions of the radiation image capturingapparatuses 1 in the horizontal direction detected by the detecting uniton the display unit Ca of the console C. Alternatively, simply whetherthe image capturing apparatuses 1 are aligned at the center, to theright or to the left can be displayed. Alternatively, the display of theposition of the radiation image capturing apparatuses 1 or the displayof the aligning at the center, etc. can be displayed on a display unitprovided in the long length capturing bucky apparatus 51A instead of ortogether with the display unit Ca of the console C.

According to the above configuration, the user such as the radiologytechnician, etc. is able to see the display and adjust the position ofthe irradiating field of the radiation irradiated to the long lengthcapturing bucky apparatus 51A according to the display. With this, thelong length capturing can be accurately performed. Moreover, the consoleC is able to perform the above-described processing in the long lengthcapturing such as the combining processing of the image data D*1 to D*3or the generating processing of the long length image data D*long (seeFIG. 18A, FIG. 18B) with recognition of the information such as theposition of the radiation image capturing apparatuses 1 or the radiationimage capturing apparatuses 1 being aligned to the center. From thispoint also, it is possible to accurately perform long length capturing.

[Synchronizing Non-Linking Method Radiation Image Capturing Apparatuses]

When radiation is irradiated with one shot from the radiationirradiating apparatus 52 to the radiation image capturing apparatuses 1loaded on the long length capturing bucky apparatus 51A to perform longlength capturing, there is a difference in the amount of radiationirradiated to each radiation image capturing apparatus 1. Since theirradiating field of the irradiated radiation is narrowed, the amount ofdelivered radiation becomes small in the radiation image capturingapparatus 1 loaded in the top and bottom loading positions α and γcompared to the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 loaded in themiddle loading position β (see FIG. 20A). Therefore, it is assumed thatthe performance to judge the start of irradiation decreases.

In this case, when the non-linking method radiation image capturingapparatus 1 is loaded on the long length capturing bucky apparatus 51A,for example, a large amount of radiation reaches the radiation imagecapturing apparatus 1 loaded in the loading position β and therefore,the start of irradiation of radiation can be promptly detected. However,there is a possibility that the detection timing of the start ofirradiation of radiation is delayed in the radiation image capturingapparatuses 1 loaded in the loading positions α and γ. When thedetecting timing of the start of irradiation of radiation is differentin each radiation image capturing apparatus 1, the timing that the imagedata D, etc. is transferred to the console C from each radiation imagecapturing apparatus 1 becomes different depending on each radiationimage capturing apparatus 1, and the processing in the console C becomesdifficult.

For example, in an example where the plurality of non-linking methodradiation image capturing apparatuses 1 are loaded on the long lengthcapturing bucky apparatus 51A, when the radiation image capturingapparatus 1 detects the start of irradiation of radiation, the detectingprocessing stops at this point, the state advances to the chargeaccumulating state (see FIG. 9), and the signal showing the above istransmitted to the console C. Then, when the console C receives thesignal from the first radiation image capturing apparatus 1 whichdetected start of irradiation of radiation, the console C transmits anadvancing signal to the other radiation image capturing apparatuses 1loaded on the long length capturing bucky apparatus 51A. Then, when theother radiation image capturing apparatuses 1 receive the advancingsignal from the console C, even if the other radiation image capturingapparatuses 1 themselves do not detect the start of irradiation ofradiation, the detecting processing stops at this point and the state isadvanced to the charge accumulating state.

According to such configuration, the plurality of non-linking methodradiation image capturing apparatuses 1 loaded on the long lengthcapturing bucky apparatus 51A advances to the charge accumulating stateand the generating processing of the image data D and the processingthereafter can be performed at the same timing. With this, the displayprocessing of the preview image p_pre and the generating processing ofthe long length image data D*long can be easily performed on the consoleC. According to such configuration, the time necessary for the entirelong length capturing can be made shorter compared to when the radiationimage capturing apparatuses 1 detect the start of irradiation ofradiation at a different timing and the processing thereafter isperformed. Consequently, the burden of the patient who is the subjectcan be reduced.

[Management of Position of Radiation Image Capturing Apparatus whenPlurality of Capturing Rooms are Provided]

In order to achieve the objects of the present invention, which are toaccurately perform both simple capturing and long length capturing usingthe radiation image capturing apparatus 1 and to perform efficientcapturing, it is necessary to prevent mistaking the radiation imagecapturing apparatus 1 to be used in the capturing or the user such asthe radiology technician, etc. having to search for the radiation imagecapturing apparatus 1.

Such situation occurs especially when the radiation image capturingsystem 50 includes a plurality of capturing rooms Ra (Ra1 to Ra3)associated with one or a plurality of consoles C (C1, C2) (see FIG. 2).In order to prevent the above situation, for example, as shown in FIG.2, the radiation image capturing system 50 may be provided with amanagement apparatus S.

Specifically, as described above, when the radiation image capturingapparatus 1 is brought into the capturing room Ra and inserted in thecradle 55 (see FIG. 2 and FIG. 3), or the tag of the radiation imagecapturing apparatus 1 is read with the tag reader 60 (see FIG. 4) andthe cassette ID which is the identification information of the radiationimage capturing apparatus 1 is read, the cassette ID is transmitted andnotified to the management apparatus S in addition to the console Cthrough the repeater 54. Here, for example, the identificationinformation of the repeater (hereinafter referred to as the repeater ID)is attached to the cassette ID and notified.

The management apparatus S is able to judge from which capturing room Rathe cassette ID is transmitted based on the repeater ID attached to thecassette ID, and becomes aware that the radiation image capturingapparatus 1 including the cassette ID is in the capturing room Racorresponding to the repeater ID. The management apparatus S can alsomanage the information by storing the information in the storage unitCb. Instead of or together with the repeater ID, the identificationinformation of the cradle 55 or the identification information of thetag reader 60 can be attached to the read cassette ID and transmitted tothe management apparatus S. As long as the capturing room Ra from whichthe cassette ID is transmitted can be reliably identified, theinformation attached to the cassette ID can be any type of information.

In reply to the request from the console C, the management apparatus Stransmits information of the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 inthe capturing rooms Ra to the console C. The console C is able todisplay the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 in each capturing roomRa in a form of a list on the display unit Ca as shown in, for example,Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2012-105787,Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2013-126604.

According to the above configuration, the user such as the radiologytechnician, etc. sees the list and is able to understand which radiationimage capturing apparatus 1 belongs to which capturing room Ra. Here, asdescribed above, for example, the following is displayed near theinformation of the radiation image capturing apparatuses 1. The linkingmethod radiation image capturing apparatus 1 is displayed with blue andthe non-linking method radiation image capturing apparatus 1 isdisplayed with red. The sizes such as 14×17 inches, 14×14 inches, and17×17 inches are each displayed with design such as a square (solidcolored), stripes, dots, etc. According to such configuration, the usersuch as the radiology technician, etc. is able to understand thecapturing method and the size of the radiation image capturing apparatus1 at a glance, and this is preferable.

In order to perform long length capturing more accurately, for example,the following configuration is possible. The long length capturing buckyapparatus 51A is provided in any or all of the capturing rooms Ra amongthe plurality of capturing rooms Ra.

As described above, the console C judges that the capturing to beperformed is long length capturing based on the capturing orderinformation, and the console C transmits to the management apparatus S arequest signal requesting an answer regarding in which capturing room Rathe long length capturing can be performed. Then, in response to theabove, the management apparatus S judges in which capturing room Ra thelong length capturing can be performed based on the information of theradiation image capturing apparatus 1 in each capturing room Ra orinformation of which capturing room Ra includes the long lengthcapturing bucky apparatus 51A. The management apparatus S notifies thecapturing room Ra in which long length capturing can be performed to theconsole C. The console C can notify the information of the capturingroom Ra notified from the management apparatus S to the user such as theradiology technician, etc. by displaying on the display unit Ca, forexample.

As described above, depending on whether the radiation irradiatingapparatus 52 receives interlock control or not, the type of radiationimage capturing apparatus 1 (in other words, linking method ornon-linking method) which can be used in the long length capturing maybe limited. Moreover, depending on whether the connector 51 b isprovided in the long length capturing bucky apparatus 51A, the type ofradiation image capturing apparatus 1 which can be used in the longlength capturing may need to be considered.

If there are a plurality of radiation image capturing apparatuses 1which can be used in the long length capturing using the long lengthcapturing bucky apparatus 51A and the radiation irradiating apparatus 52in the capturing room Ra provided with the long length capturing buckyapparatus 51A, the long length capturing can be performed in thecapturing room Ra. However, if a plurality of such radiation imagecapturing apparatuses 1 are not present, the long length capturingcannot be immediately performed in the capturing room Ra.

Since the management apparatus S judges in which capturing room Ra thelong length capturing can be performed based on the information of theradiation image capturing apparatus 1 in each capturing room Ra and theinformation such as the long length capturing bucky apparatus 51A, andthe capturing room Ra which can perform long length capturing isnotified to the user such as the radiology technician, etc. through theconsole C, the user is able to accurately perform the long lengthcapturing in the notified capturing room Ra.

When the management apparatus S judges the long length capturing cannotbe performed in any capturing room Ra, for example, the managementapparatus S can notify to the console C the information showing in whichcapturing room Ra the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 which can beused in the long length capturing is present, and the console C cannotify the information notified from the management apparatus S by, forexample, displaying on the display unit Ca in a form of a list.

According to the above configuration, based on the above notification,the user such as the radiology technician, etc. is able to go to eachcapturing room Ra with the necessary radiation image capturing apparatus1 to accurately and promptly collect the radiation image capturingapparatuses 1. Then, the user such as the radiology technician, etc. isable to bring the radiation image capturing apparatuses 1 into thecapturing room Ra provided with the long length capturing buckyapparatus 51A, load the above into the long length capturing buckyapparatus 51A, and accurately perform the long length capturing.

[Modification] [Modification 1]

As described above, the selection screen H3 (see FIG. 14 to FIG. 16)displaying the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 in the capturingroom Ra with the icon I is displayed on the display unit Ca of theconsole C of the radiation image capturing system 50 of the presentembodiment. However, the selection screen H3 can be configured so thatthe icon I corresponding to the radiation image capturing apparatus 1which cannot be used in the capturing to be performed is not displayedon the selection screen H3 even if the radiation image capturingapparatus 1 exists in the capturing room Ra, so that the icon Icorresponding to the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 which cannotbe used in the capturing to be performed (in other words, capturingcorresponding to the icon I (icon I2 in FIG. 13) displayed with focus onthe screen H2 (see FIG. 13)) cannot be selected on the selection screenH3.

According to the above configuration, it is possible to accuratelyprevent the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 which cannot be usedin the capturing from being selected on the selection screen H3 bymistake by the user such as the radiology technician, etc. Consequently,simple capturing and long length capturing can be accurately performed.

[Modification 2]

As described above, there are radiation image capturing apparatuses 1which can perform capturing by both the linking method and thenon-linking method. When such radiation image capturing apparatus 1 isused, if the radiation irradiating apparatus 52 does not receiveinterlock control and the non-linking method radiation image capturingapparatus 1 needs to be used in capturing, a signal can be transmittedfrom the console C to the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 toswitch the capturing method of the radiation image capturing apparatus 1to the non-linking method.

In other words, according to the type of radiation irradiating apparatus52 provided in the capturing room Ra (in other words, for example,whether or not interlock control is received), or the type of the buckyapparatus 51 (in other words, whether or not the connector 51 b isprovided), the console C can switch the capturing method of theradiation image capturing apparatus 1 in the capturing room Ra to thecapturing method suitable for the capturing room Ra between the linkingmethod and the non-linking method.

According to such configuration, the capturing method of the radiationimage capturing apparatus 1 can be suitably switched between the linkingmethod and the non-linking method depending on the state of thecapturing room Ra, in other words, the type of the radiation irradiatingapparatus 52 and the type of the bucky apparatus 51 and the capturingcan be performed. Consequently, the simple capturing and the long lengthcapturing can be accurately performed.

[Modification 3]

The above-described embodiment and modification show an exampleperforming long length capturing by loading a plurality of radiationimage capturing apparatuses 1 in the cassette holder 51 a (see FIG. 1,etc.) when the long length capturing bucky apparatus 51A is used. Otherthan the above, for example, the radiation image capturing apparatus 1loaded on the long length capturing bucky apparatus 51A can be used toperform simple capturing.

Specifically, although illustration is omitted, for example, a movingapparatus to move the loaded radiation image capturing apparatus 1 canbe provided in the cassette holder 51 a of the long length capturingbucky apparatus 51A, and the radiation image capturing apparatus 1loaded in the cassette holder 51 a of the long length capturing buckyapparatus 51A can be moved in an arbitrary position in the body axis Adirection (see FIG. 1) of the subject H in the cassette holder 51 a.

In this case, when the long length capturing bucky apparatus 51A is forstanding position capturing, the moving apparatus is configured so thatthe loaded radiation image capturing apparatus 1 is able to move in thevertical direction in the cassette holder 51 a. When the long lengthcapturing bucky apparatus 51A is for lying position capturing, themoving apparatus is configured so that the loaded radiation imagecapturing apparatus 1 is able to move in the horizontal direction in thecassette holder 51 a.

According to such configuration, the radiation image capturing apparatus1 can be positioned in the capturing site of the subject H by moving theradiation image capturing apparatus 1 in the cassette holder 51 a of thelong length capturing bucky apparatus 51A. Therefore, since the postureof the subject H does not have to be moved and the position of thecassette holder 51 a does not have to be changed depending on thecapturing site of the subject H, the ease of use for the user such asthe radiology technician, etc. is enhanced.

When the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 is moved in the cassetteholder 51 a as described above in a state in which the plurality ofradiation image capturing apparatuses 1 are loaded on the cassetteholder 51A of the long length capturing bucky apparatus 51A, and thesimple capturing is performed, preferably, for example, the radiationimage capturing apparatus 1 which is not used in the capturing is ableto evacuate in the cassette holder 51 a to a direction away from thesubject H. According to such configuration, the radiation imagecapturing apparatus 1 to be used in capturing can be accurately moved inthe cassette holder 51 a of the long length capturing bucky apparatus51A and capturing can be performed without being interfered by theradiation image capturing apparatus 1 which is not used in thecapturing.

According to the above-described embodiments, as shown in FIG. 1, etc.,as the radiation irradiating apparatus 52, the wide angle irradiatingtype radiation irradiating apparatus is used. Such radiation irradiatingapparatus is able to irradiate radiation to the plurality of radiationimage capturing apparatuses 1 loaded on the long length capturing buckyapparatus 51A simultaneously (in other words, with one shot). Therefore,when the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 is moved in the cassetteholder 51 a of the long length capturing bucky apparatus 51A to performsimple capturing, the position and the irradiating direction of theradiation irradiating apparatus 52 do not necessarily have to bechanged. (In this case also, the irradiating field of the radiation isnarrowed to the necessary range so that the amount of irradiation to thesubject H does not increase.)

However, preferably, in simple capturing, the radiation irradiatingapparatus 52 is moved synchronizing with the movement of the radiationimage capturing apparatus 1 in the cassette holder 51 a and then theradiation is irradiated.

In other words, for example, when the long length capturing buckyapparatus 51A is for standing position capturing, and if the radiationimage capturing apparatus 1 is moved to the position at the top edge inthe cassette holder 51 a, if the radiation irradiating apparatus 52 isthe wide angle irradiating type, the radiation can be irradiated to theradiation image capturing apparatus 1 in the top edge position in thecassette holder 51 a without changing the position (height) and theirradiating direction of the radiation irradiating apparatus 52.However, in this case, capturing is performed by irradiating theradiation to the radiation image capturing apparatus 1 from the bottomside, and the physician who interprets the generated radiation image pmay feel that something is wrong with the image.

Therefore, when the simple capturing is performed by moving theradiation image capturing apparatus 1 in the cassette holder 51 a of thelong length capturing bucky apparatus 51A as described above,preferably, the radiation irradiating apparatus 52 is movedsynchronizing with the movement of the radiation image capturingapparatus 1 in the cassette holder 51 a so that the position (height) ofthe radiation irradiating apparatus 52 becomes the same position(height) as the radiation image capturing apparatus 1, and the capturingis performed.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments,and the present invention can be suitably modified without leaving thescope of the present invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A radiation image capturing system comprising: acapturing room comprising: a bucky apparatus on which a plurality ofportable radiation image capturing apparatuses can be loaded; aradiation irradiating apparatus which is able to simultaneouslyirradiate radiation to the plurality of portable radiation imagecapturing apparatuses loaded on the bucky apparatus; and a detectingunit which detects entry of the portable radiation image capturingapparatus; and a console which is associated with the capturing room,which is able to control the portable radiation image capturingapparatus detected by the detecting unit, and which obtains capturingorder information and generates a radiation image based on image datatransferred from the portable radiation image capturing apparatus to beassociated with the capturing order information; wherein, the consoleallows the plurality of portable radiation image capturing apparatusesin the associated capturing room to advance to a capturing possiblestate when the console judges based on the capturing order informationthat capturing in the capturing order information is long lengthcapturing which is performed with the plurality of portable radiationimage capturing apparatuses loaded on the bucky apparatus; and theconsole allows only one of the portable radiation image capturingapparatuses in the associated capturing room to advance to the capturingpossible state when the console judges based on the capturing orderinformation that the capturing in the capturing order information is notthe long length capturing.
 2. The radiation image capturing system ofclaim 1, wherein, radiation image capturing is performed by loading onthe bucky apparatus the portable radiation image capturing apparatuswith a non-linking method which detects start of irradiation ofradiation by itself without communicating a signal with the radiationirradiating apparatus when the bucky apparatus is not provided with aconnector to connect with a connector of the portable radiation imagecapturing apparatus.
 3. The radiation image capturing system of claim 2,wherein, the console allows all of the non-linking method portableradiation image capturing apparatuses in the associated capturing roomto advance to the capturing possible state when the console judges thatthe capturing in the capturing order information is the long lengthcapturing based on the capturing order information.
 4. A radiation imagecapturing system comprising: a capturing room comprising: a buckyapparatus on which a plurality of portable radiation image capturingapparatuses can be loaded; a radiation irradiating apparatus which isable to simultaneously irradiate radiation to the plurality of portableradiation image capturing apparatuses loaded on the bucky apparatus; anda detecting unit which detects entry of the portable radiation imagecapturing apparatus; and a console which is associated with thecapturing room, which is able to control the portable radiation imagecapturing apparatus detected by the detecting unit, and which obtainscapturing order information and generates a radiation image based onimage data transferred from the portable radiation image capturingapparatus to be associated with the capturing order information;wherein, the bucky apparatus includes a reading unit which readsidentification information of the portable radiation image capturingapparatus loaded in a loading position in which the portable radiationimage capturing apparatus is loaded, and the bucky apparatus notifiesthe identification information to the console when the reading unitreads the identification information of the portable radiation imagecapturing apparatus loaded in the loading position; the console judgeswhether long length capturing which is performed with the plurality ofportable radiation image capturing apparatuses loaded on the buckyapparatus can be performed based on the identification information ofthe portable radiation image capturing apparatus loaded in the loadingposition, the identification information notified from the buckyapparatus; the console allows the plurality of portable radiation imagecapturing apparatuses loaded on the bucky apparatus to advance to acapturing possible state when the console judges that the long lengthcapturing can be performed; and the console notifies that the longlength capturing cannot be performed when the console judges that thelong length capturing cannot be performed.
 5. The radiation imagecapturing system of claim 4, wherein, the console judges that the longlength capturing cannot be performed when a number of portable radiationimage capturing apparatuses loaded on the bucky apparatus is one.
 6. Theradiation image capturing system of claim 4, wherein, the console judgesthat the long length capturing cannot be performed when the plurality ofportable radiation image capturing apparatuses are loaded on the buckyapparatus but the loading positions in which the plurality of portableradiation image capturing apparatuses are loaded are not continuous. 7.The radiation image capturing system of claim 4, wherein, the consolejudges that the long length capturing cannot be performed when theradiation irradiating apparatus is a radiation irradiating apparatuswhich does not receive interlock control and the plurality of portableradiation image capturing apparatuses loaded on the bucky apparatus isthe portable radiation image capturing apparatus with a linking methodwhich performs capturing while communicating a signal with the radiationirradiating apparatus.
 8. A radiation image capturing system comprising:a plurality of capturing rooms comprising: a radiation irradiatingapparatus which is able to irradiate radiation to a portable radiationimage capturing apparatus; and a detecting unit which detects entry ofthe portable radiation image capturing apparatus; a console which isassociated with the capturing room, which is able to control theportable radiation image capturing apparatus detected by the detectingunit, and which obtains capturing order information and generates aradiation image based on image data transferred from the portableradiation image capturing apparatus to be associated with the capturingorder information; and a management apparatus which manages the portableradiation image capturing apparatus in the capturing room based oninformation of the portable radiation image capturing apparatus detectedby the detecting unit provided in each capturing room, wherein, any orall of the capturing rooms are provided with a bucky apparatus in whichthe plurality of portable radiation image capturing apparatuses can beloaded; the management apparatus judges in which capturing room the longlength capturing can be performed based on information of the portableradiation image capturing apparatus and the bucky apparatus in thecapturing room and notifies to the console the capturing room which canperform long length capturing in reply to a request from the consolewhich judges based on the capturing order information that the capturingof the capturing order information is the long length capturing which isperformed with the plurality of portable radiation image capturingapparatuses loaded on the bucky apparatus; and the console notifies theinformation of the capturing room notified from the managementapparatus.
 9. The radiation image capturing system of claim 8, wherein,the management apparatus notifies to the console information of whetherthe portable radiation image capturing apparatus which can be used inthe long length capturing is present in the capturing room when themanagement apparatus judges that the long length capturing cannot beperformed in any of the capturing rooms based on the information of theportable radiation image capturing apparatus and the bucky apparatus inthe capturing room; and the console notifies the information notifiedfrom the management apparatus.